Vinyl pressings
by Bob Geldof · 1986
This Is The World Calling was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
34 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 15 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.
888 117 7 1 W 1 ℗ 1986 670 04 1 1Runout side A, stamped variant 1
888 117 7 2 W 1 ℗ 1986 670 04 1 1Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
888 117 7 1 W 2 ℗ 1986 670 04 1Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
888 117 7 2 W 1 ℗ 1986 670 04 1 1Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
888 117 1M 1 ℗ 1986 670 04 1 13Runout side A
888 117 2M 1 ℗ 1986 670 04 1 11Runout side B
888 117-1.1Label side A
888 117-1.2Label side B
BOB 1 1A//4▽420 R L.18126Side 1
BOB 1 1B//4▽420 R L.18127Side 2
BOBX 101 A // 1 ▽ 420 C 11 2Side A runout variant 1
BOBX 101 B // 1 ▽ 420 C 11 4Side B runout variant 1
BOBX 101 A // 2 ▽ 420 C 1 1 5Side A runout variant 2
BOBX 101 B // 2 ▽ 420 C 1 1 6Side B runout variant 2
BOB 1 A//2▽420 CSide A Runout - Stamped
BOB 1 B//1▽420CSide B Runout - Stamped
ARUN3Side A Runout - Etched
BOB 1 A // 3 420 R ARUN 1 1 11 2 L L.18126 ISide A runout
BOB 1 B // 3 420 R 1 1 L 11 L.18126̶ 7 FSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Argentina | Mercury 888 117-1 / PolyGram 22315First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Australasia | Mercury 888 117-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Atlantic 78 93417First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Canada | Atlantic 78-67580First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Atlantic 78 93417First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 888 117-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | Mercury 888 117-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Germany | Mercury 888 117-1 / Phonogram 888 117-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | Mercury 888 117-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | Mercury 888 117-1 / PolyGram 888 117-1First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Greece | Mercury 888 117-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, White Label |
| 1986 | Ireland | Mercury BOB 101First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Italy | Mercury 888 117-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Italy | Mercury 888 117-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Portugal | Mercury 888 117-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | Mercury MER-24-7967", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
36 vinyl pressings of This Is The World Calling are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Europe, UK, US, Australasia and more. One of them is Mercury 888 117-7, released October 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 888 117-7, 888 117-1, BOB 101, BOBX 101) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 888 117 7 1 W 1 ℗ 1986 670 04 1 1 and 888 117 7 2 W 1 ℗ 1986 670 04 1 1. 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.
