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.
22 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 14 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.
205798 A-1/83S I Made in GermanyRunout side A, variant 1
205798 B-1/83S I II Made in GermanyRunout side B, variant 1
205798 A-1/83S I Made in GermanyRunout side A, variant 2
205798 B-1/83S I Made in GermanyRunout side B, variant 2
V 2286 A-1U-1-1- 6 BILBO TAPE ONESide A runout. Variant 1
V 2286 B-2U-1-1- 5 BILBO TAPE ONESide B runout. Variant 1
V 2286 A-2U-1-1- 6 BILBO TAPE ONESide A runout. Variant 2
V 2286 B-1U-1-1- 6 BILBO TAPE ONESide B runout. Variant 2
125062 A RE1 542 B-18804 Re1-SH2 SLM △5747 1-1Side A Runout, Variation 1
125062 15 5112 B-18805 SLM △5747-X 1-1Side B Runout, Variation 1
1-25062A X1S1- WW1 ─◁Side A runout etched
25062 1S WW2 ─◁Side B runout etched
1 25062 A RE1 SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] B-18804 . Re1- SH2 SLM △ 5747 1̶-2̶ 0-1Side A runout, variant 1
1 25062 B SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] B-18805 Re1- SH2 SLM △ 5747-X 1̶-2̶ 0-1Side B runout, variant 1
1 25062 A RE1 SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] B-18804 · Re1- SH2 SLM △ 5747 1-1Side A runout, variant 2
1 25062 B SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] B-18805 SLM △ 5747-X 1-1Side B runout, variant 2
1-25062 A RBI JW1 # 1 0Side A runout, stamped; trailing 0 etched
1-25062-B-JW1 0Side B runout, stamped; trailing 0 etched
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 V2286First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Virgin VL 2273First yearLP · Colored vinyl | LP · Colored vinyl |
| 1983 | Canada | Virgin VL 2273First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Virgin VL 2273First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Virgin VL 2273First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Virgin 205 798LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | France | Virgin 205798First yearLP | LP |
| 1983 | Greece | Virgin VG 50025First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Italy | Virgin V2286First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Virgin VIL-6090First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Virgin VIL-6090First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Virgin V2286First yearLP | LP |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Virgin V2286First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Philippines | Virgin V-4638 / Virgin V2286First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Portugal | Virgin 617105First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Spain | Virgin E-205798LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 214LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
32 vinyl pressings of Working With Fire And Steel are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1983 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in Europe, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Virgin 205 798, released November 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 205 798, V2286, 1-25062, VL 2273) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 205798 A-1/83S I Made in Germany and 205798 B-1/83S I II Made in Germany. 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.
