Vinyl pressings
by ABC · 1983
Beauty Stab was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 19 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.
NTRL 2 A // 1 ∇ 420 H 12 2 TOWNHOUSEA side runout, variant 1
NTRL 2 B // 1 ∇ 420 H 11 1 TOWNHOUSEB side runout, variant 1
NTRL 2 A // 1 ∇ 420 H 1 1 1 0 TOWNHOUSEA side runout, variant 2
NTRL 2 B // 1 ∇ 420 H 12 5 TOWNHOUSEB side runout, variant 2
NTRL 2 A// 1(symbol) 420 TOWNHOUSE
MASTERDISKSide A & B Stamped
422 814-661-1-AS-CRP-P-3 HW PSide A Etched, variant 1
422-841-661-1-1-BS-CRP-P P HWSide B Etched, variant 1
422-841666-1-BS-CRP-PSide B Etched [Crossed Out], variant 1
422-514661-AS-PRC-C1-1-1A-side, etched
422-514661-BS-PRC-C-2-1-1B-side, etched
MASTERDISK HWMasterdisk is stamped, initials are etched, both sides
422-814 661-1 M-1Label, both sides
422-814661-1-AS-HRM-1 B-1 ⟷ MASTERDISK HWSide A Runout - variant 1
422-814661-1-BS-HRM MASTERDISK HW A-1 ⟷Side B Runout - variant 1
422-814661-AS-HRM MASTERDISK HW A-1 ⟷Side A Runout - variant 2
422-814661-1-BS-HRM MASTERDISK HW A-1 ⟷Side B Runout - variant 2
△ MX207833-C 814661-1 S1Side A stamped run-outs
△ MX207834 814661-1 S2Side B stamped run-outs
MX207833Side A label
MX207834Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australasia | Mercury 814 661-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Vertigo VOG-1-3332 / Neutron Records VOG-1-3332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Finland | Mercury 814 661-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Mercury 814 661-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Vertigo 814 661-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Mercury 814 661-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | Mercury 814661-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | Mercury 814661-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1983 | Hong Kong | Mercury 814 661-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Iceland | Mercury 814 661-1 / Phonogram 814 661-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Ireland | Neutron Records NTRL 2 / Neutron Records 814 661-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Israel | Mercury NTRL 2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Mercury 814 661-1 M-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-103First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Mercury 814 661-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
27 vinyl pressings of Beauty Stab are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australasia, Canada and more. One of them is Neutron Records NTRL 2, released November 18, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NTRL 2, 814 661-1 M-1, 422-814 661-1 M-1, 814 661-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, NTRL 2 A // 1 ∇ 420 H 12 2 TOWNHOUSE and NTRL 2 B // 1 ∇ 420 H 11 1 TOWNHOUSE. 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.
