Vinyl pressings
by a-ha · 1987
Manhattan Skyline was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
30 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 9 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
R/S Alsdorf 928405-7-A2 x K DRunout side A
R/S Alsdorf 928405-7-B 11Runout side B
R/S Alsdorf 928405-7-A2 S 8 KRunout side A variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 928405-7-B xxRunout side B variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 928405-7-A2Side A runout
R/S Alsdorf 928405-7-BSide B runout
928 405-7ASide A label
928 405-7BSide B label
R / S Alsdorf 920642-0-AxRunout side A, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 920642-0-BRunout side B, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 920642-0-A 3Runout side A, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 920642-0-B 2Runout side B, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 928 405-7-A2 JKRunout side A, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 928 405-7-BX 37Runout side B, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 928 405-7-A3 D2 JKRunout side A, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 928 405-7-BX 36Runout side B, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 920642-0-AStamped runout, side A
R/S Alsdorf 920642-0-BStamped runout, side B
UK 1Hand etched runout, side A
W8405 T A // 1∇420 V 1 1 2Runout side A
W8405 T B // 1∇420 V 1 1 2Runout side B
W 8405 (T) ALabel side A
W 8405 (T) BLabel side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 0 20642First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 7-28405First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 928 405-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 920 642-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 928 405-7 / Warner Bros. Records W 8405First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records W 8405 TW / Warner Bros. Records W8405TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1987 | Germany | WEA Records 920 642-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Ireland | Warner Bros. Records W8405 / Warner Bros. Records 928 405-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records 92 8405-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-2251First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 928 405-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 928405-7 / Warner Bros. Records 928 405-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 920 642-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W8405W / Warner Bros. Records 928 405-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W8405TP / Warner Bros. Records 920 642-0First year12", Picture Disc, Limited Edition · Limited, Picture disc | 12", Picture Disc, Limited Edition · Limited, Picture disc |
30 vinyl pressings of Manhattan Skyline are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in Europe, UK, Australia, Germany and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 928 405-7, released February 13, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 928 405-7, 920 642-0, W 8405 TW, W8405T) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 928405-7-A2 x K D and R/S Alsdorf 928405-7-B 11. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
