Vinyl pressings
by Anthrax · 1987
I'm The Man 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.
21 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 7 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.
IS 338-AEtchings, Side A - Variant 1
IS 338-BEtchings, Side B - Variant 1
IS + 338 + A 1 2Variant 2
IS + 338 - B 1 1 1Variant 2
IS+338+ASide A etched
1 1 1Side A stamped & inverted
IS+338+BSide B etched
1 1 1 U 1Side B stamped & inverted
12-IS-338-A TOWNHOUSEEtched Runout Side A
12+IS+338-BEtched Runout Side B
12 IS 338-ALabel Side A
12 IS 338-BLabel Side B
IS+338+AA-side runout, etched, variant 1
IS+338+BB-side runout, etched, variant 1
IS+338+A 1 11 5A-side runout, etched ('1115' stamped), variant 2
IS+338+B 1 11 8B-side runout, etched ('1118' stamped), variant 2
IS 338-A 3 1Runout side A, etched
IS 338-B 1 1 1Runout side B, etched
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 | Canada | Island Records ISM-1163 / Island Records ISM 1163First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | Canada | Island Records Inc. ISM-1163 / Island Records Inc. ISM 116312", 33 ⅓ RPM, Club Edition · Club edition | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Canada | Island Records Inc. ISM-1163 / Island Records Inc. ISM 1163First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Island Records 208 786 / Megaforce Worldwide 208 786First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Island Records 208 786 / Megaforce Worldwide 208 786First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | Island Records VG 4013ZFirst year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | Italy | Island Records ANTH 1000First year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | Italy | Island Records ANTH 100012", EP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", EP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Spain | Island Records 5A 208 786First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1987 | UK | Island Records IS 338 / Megaforce Worldwide IS 338First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Island Records ISB 338 / Island Records IS 338First year7", Box Set, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", Box Set, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1987 | UK | Island Records 12 IS 338 / Megaforce Worldwide 12 IS 338First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Island Records ISP 338 / Megaforce Worldwide ISP 338First year7", Limited Edition, Shape, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | 7", Limited Edition, Shape, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1987 | UK | Island Records IS 338 / Megaforce Worldwide IS 338First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Island Records ISDJ 338First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Island Records 90685-1 / Megaforce Worldwide 90685-112", EP, Reissue | 12", EP, Reissue |
32 vinyl pressings of I'm The Man are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Island Records IS 338.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IS 338, ISB 338, 12 IS 338, ISP 338) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IS 338-A and IS 338-B. 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.
