Vinyl pressings
by B-Movie · 1984
A Letter From Afar was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 8 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.
SIR·4058 T·A ☆MT☆ DAMONTRunouts Side A var.1
SIR·4058·T-B1 ☆MT☆ DAMONTRunouts Side B var.1
SIR·4058 T·A 1 ☆MT☆ DAMONT 3Runouts Side B var.2 etched
SIR·4058·T-B1 1 ☆MT☆ DAMONT 5Runouts Side B var.2 etched
SIR 4058 A - 1U - 1 1 - 0A side runout, stamped
SIR 4058 B - 1U - 1 1 - 0B side runout, stamped
25-9746-ALabel side A
25-9746-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | Sire 25 97450First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Portugal | Sire 229 25-9746-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Sire S 25 9746-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Sire 25 97467First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | France | WEA 25-9746-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Germany | WEA 25-9746-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Sire 25-9746-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Scandinavia | Sire 25-9746-7 / Sire 25.9746-7-NFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Sire SIR 4058 (T) / Sire SIR 4058TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Sire SIR 4058First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records DS-070 / Warner Bros. Records sir 405812", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
11 vinyl pressings of A Letter From Afar are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1984 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, France, Germany, Netherlands and more. One of them is Sire SIR 4058 (T), released January 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SIR 4058 (T), SIR 4058, 25-9746-7, 25 97450) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SIR·4058 T·A ☆MT☆ DAMONT and SIR·4058·T-B1 ☆MT☆ DAMONT. 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.
