Vinyl pressings
by China Crisis · 1983
Working With Fire And Steel was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
BILBO.TAPE ONERunout sides A&B, etched
VS 620 A-1U-1-1-2Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
VS 620 B-2U-1-1-0Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
VS 620 A-1U-1-1-3Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
VS 62012 A-1U-1-1 ⇀ BILBO. TAPE OneRunout, A-side, variant 1
VS 62012 B-1U-1-1 ⇀ BILBO. TAPE OneRunout, B-side, variant 1
VS 62012 A-1U-1-1 ⇀ 1 BILBO. TAPE OneRunout, A-side, variant 2
VS 62012 B-1U-1-1 ⇀ BILBO. TAPE OneRunout, B-side, variant 2
ɑ B-18812 SLM Δ 5761 1-1 0-20172 A SH1Runout Side A, etched; ɑ stamped
ɑ B-18813-SH2 SLM Δ 5761-X 1-1 0-20172 B SH2Runout Side B, etched; ɑ stamped
0-20172 A SR1Side A runout, etched
0-20172 B SR1Side B runout, etched
[SRC logo]Sides A and B stamped
7 29304 BAA 2232 S SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-12615 SH1 △6413 1-1Runout, both sides
BAA 2232SLabel, both sides
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS 620First year7" | 7" |
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS 620-12 / Virgin VS 62012First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS 620First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS 620First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS 620First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS 620-12 / Virgin VS 62012First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | Virgin VSX 1179First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Virgin VS 1179First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Europe | Virgin 601 015 / Virgin 601 015-213First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | Virgin 105841First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | Virgin VS 620First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Italy | Virgin VIN 45087First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Italy | Virgin VINX 25First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Virgin VS620-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Virgin VSY 620First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
23 vinyl pressings of Working With Fire And Steel are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Virgin VS 620, released October 3, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 620, VS620-12, VSY 620, 0-20172) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BILBO.TAPE ONE and VS 620 A-1U-1-1-2. 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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