Vinyl pressings
by Chris Rea · 1988
New Light Through Old Windows was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 16 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.
[all etched] /_\23512 GHS-24232 - A - SH1-DMM B-33917-SHI KDISC DMM JG 2-ISide A
[all etched] /_\23512-X GHS-24232 - B - SH1-DMM B-33918-SHI KDISC DMM JGSide B
MX301561- D̶ C 243841-1 MR 1Side A runout hand etched
MX301562-C 243841-1 MR 2Side B runout hand etched
R/S Alsdorf 243841-1-A 24 <T>Runout A, stamped/etched variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 243841-1-B3 28 <T>Runout B, stamped/etched variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 243841-1-A <T> 25Runout A, stamped/etched variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 243841-1-B3 <T> 28Runout B, stamped/etched variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | WEA 80111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Brazil | WEA 670.8093First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Canada | WEA 24 38411First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | WEA 243 841-1 / WEA WX 200First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Magnet 209.420First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | WEA 243 841-1 / WEA WX 200First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | WEA 243 841-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1988 | Finland | Magnet 243 841-1 / K-tel 243 841-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | Three Eggs 6042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Israel | WEA Records Ltd. WEA BAN 243 841-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Israel | WEA WEA BAN 243841-1 / WEA 243 841-1First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1988 | Italy | WEA 243 841-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Mexico | WEA LWI-6789First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Portugal | WEA 243 841 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | South Africa | Magnet MAG 5028 (WX 200)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Czechoslovakia | Popron 50 103-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Germany | Magnet 5021732657497LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | EastWest 243 841-1 / EastWest WX 200LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Italy | EastWest 9031 73018-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
30 vinyl pressings of New Light Through Old Windows are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1988 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, Australia, Argentina, Brazil and more. One of them is Geffen Records GHS 24232.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GHS 24232, 243 841-1, 80111, 670.8093) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, [all etched] /_\23512 GHS-24232 - A - SH1-DMM B-33917-SHI KDISC DMM JG 2-I and [all etched] /_\23512-X GHS-24232 - B - SH1-DMM B-33918-SHI KDISC DMM JG. 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.
