Vinyl pressings
by China Crisis · 1987
Best Kept Secret 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.
15 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 10 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.
VS 92612 A 1U-1-1-Runout side A, variant 1
VS 92612 B 1U-1-1-Runout side B, variant 1
VS 92612 A 1U-1-1- ⇀ DRunout side A, variant 2
VS 92612 B 1U-1-1- DRunout side B, variant 2
VS 926 A 1U-1-1→1 DRunout stamped side A, variant 1
VS 926 B 1U-1-1 - 3 DRunout stamped side B, variant 1
VS 926 A 1U-1-2-4 DRunout stamped side A, variant 2
VS 926 B 1U-1-1-1 DRunout stamped side B, variant 2
VS 926 A 1U-1-2-4 DRunout side A
VS 926 B 1U-1-1-1 DRunout side B
VS926ALabel side A
VS926BLabel side B
A&M-AM-0293 6-A ES-1 EMWRunouts (etched)
VS 92612ASide A Label
VS 92612BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | Virgin VS92612 / Virgin VS 92612First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Australia | Virgin VS92612 / Virgin VS 92612First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Sampler | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Sampler |
| 1987 | Canada | Virgin VS 1357First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | France | Virgin 009267First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Ireland | Virgin VS 926First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Italy | Virgin Vinx 169First year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | New Zealand | Virgin VS926First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | New Zealand | Virgin VS92612First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | South Africa | Virgin PRO-VS 91First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Sampler | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Sampler |
| 1987 | Spain | Virgin F 608 935First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | UK | Virgin VS92612First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Virgin VS926First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Virgin VS926First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | A&M Records AM-2936First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | A&M Records AM-2936First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of Best Kept Secret are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Virgin VS92612.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS92612, VS926, AM-2936, VS 1357) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 92612 A 1U-1-1- and VS 92612 B 1U-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.
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