Vinyl pressings
by Billy Bragg · 1988
Workers Playtime was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 12 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.
AGOLP 15 A2Runout side A, etched · Variant 1
AGOLP 15 B1 BYE BYE BOLINGBROKERunout side B, etched · Variant 1
AGOLP . 15 . A3Runout side A, etched · Variant 2
AGOLP 15 B2 BYE BYE BOLINGBROKERunout side B, etched · Variant 2
[stamped SRC logo] ST-E-60824-A¹ 1-1 sf/atl.Side A, Runout
[stamped SRC logo] ST-E-60824-B¹ 1-1 sf/atl.Side B, Runout
ST-E-60824-A-SPSide A, Label
ST-E-60824-B-SPSide B, Label
o- △22480 [SRC logo] B-32943-1 ST-E-60824-A I /-2 SP-AR sf / ATL.Side A runout, variant 1
o- △22480-x B-32944-1 [SRC logo] ST-E-60824-B-1 -2 SP-AR sf / atl.Side B runout, variant 1
O- △ 22480 [SRC logo] B-32943-1 ST-E-60824-A1 \-2 SP-AR sf/atl.Side A runout, variant 2
O- △ 22480-x B-32944-1 [SRC logo] ST-E-60824-B1 \-2 SP-AR sf/atl.Side B runout, variant 2
ST-E-60824-A1 1-1 sf/atl. [SRC logo]Side A runout
ST-E-60824-B1 1-1 sf/atl. [SRC logo]Side B runout
ST-E-60824-A-SPSide A label
ST-E-60824-B-SPSide B label
ST-E-60824-A1 \ - 2 SP-AR sf / atl o - △22480 [SRC logo] B-32943-1Side A runout, etched
ST-E-60824-B1 \ - 2 SP-AR sf / atl. o - △22480-x B-32944-1 [SRC logo]Side B runout, etched
ST-E-60824-A-ARSide A label
ST-E-60824-B-ARSide B label
MX 251081 LIB5153 MR 1Side A runout
MX 251082 LIB5153 MR 2Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | Go! Discs RML 38859First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Australia | Liberation Records LIB 5153First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Go! Discs 836 430-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | France | Midnight Music CHIME 00.55 MFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Germany | Line Records LILP 4.00663 J / Line Records LILP 4.00663First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1988 | Germany | Go! Discs 209 396 / Chrysalis 209 396First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | Chrysalis 75256First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1988 | Greece | Chrysalis 75256First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Ireland | Go! Discs AGOLP 15First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Italy | Chrysalis 209 396 / Go! Discs 209 396First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | New Zealand | Liberation Records RML 38859First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | New Zealand | Liberation Records RML 38859First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | DRO 4D - 433 / DRO 4D -433First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | DRO 4D - 433 / DRO 4D -433First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Sweden | Amalthea AM 1009First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of Workers Playtime are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Go! Discs AGOLP 15, released September 19, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AGOLP 15, 9 60824-1, RML 38859, LIB 5153) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AGOLP 15 A2 and AGOLP 15 B1 BYE BYE BOLINGBROKE. 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.
