Vinyl pressings
by Camouflage · 1989
Love Is A Shield was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1989, 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.
871 457-1 S 1 320Runout side A - stamped, variant 1
871 457-1 S 2 320Runout side B - stamped, variant 1
871 457-1 S 1 320 I JRunout side A - stamped, variant 2
871 457-1 S 2 320 1 A VRunout side B - stamped, variant 2
871 456-7 S1 320 1 CRunout side A, stamped, variant 1
871 456-7 S2 320 1 CRunout side B, stamped, variant 1
871 456-7 S1 320 E 1Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
871 456-7 S2 320 C 1Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
889 870 - 1 S 1 3 20 D 1Runout side A, variant 1
889 870 - 1 S 2 3 20 D 1Runout side B, variant 1
889 870 - 1 S 1 3 20 B 1Runout side A, variant 2
889 870 - 1 S 2 3 20 A 1Runout side B, variant 2
871 457 - 1 S 1 320 A 1Runout side A
871 457 - 1 S 2 320 A 1Runout side B
[SRC logo] STDM 57387/57521 - 1 1-1 [Sterling logo]Side A runout
[SRC logo] STDM 57388/391/386 - 1 1-2 [Sterling logo]Side B runout
ST-DM-57387/57521-SPSide A label
ST-DM-57388/57391/57386-SPSide B label
ST-A-57521-SPSide A - label
ST-A-57356-SPSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Ecuador | Polydor 12"-Mix-75000-28First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | France | Metronome 871 456-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Germany | Metronome 889 870-1First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Germany | Metronome 871 457-1First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Philippines | Polydor EP-PRO-8457First year12", Stereo | 12", Stereo |
| 1989 | Portugal | Metronome 871 456-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Scandinavia | Mega Records MRCX 122398 / Mega Records MRCX 12 2398First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1989 | US | Atlantic 0-86311First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | US | Atlantic DMD 1379First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1989 | US | Atlantic PR 286112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
| 1989 | US | Atlantic 7-88884First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Germany | Metronome 871 457-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Germany | Metronome 871 456-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Scandinavia | Mega Records MRCS 2398First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Europe | Polydor 652 1726 / Universal Music Group 652 172610", 33 ⅓ RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | 10", 33 ⅓ RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
15 vinyl pressings of Love Is A Shield are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1989 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in Germany, US, Scandinavia, Ecuador and more. One of them is Metronome 871 457-1, released April 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 871 457-1, 871 456-7, 889 870-1, 0-86311) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 871 457-1 S 1 320 and 871 457-1 S 2 320. 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.
