UK
1983- Label and catalog number
- Magnet MAGL 5048Magnet magl 5048
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
MAGL-5048.A MT.1 DAMONT MSide A - etched
MAGL-5048.B MT.1 DAMONTSide B - etched
MAGL 5048 ASide A label
MAGL 5048 BSide B label
Vinyl pressings
Water Sign
by Chris Rea · 1983
38 pressings19 countriesSoft RockPop RockRock
Water Sign 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Water Sign
31 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 17 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.
UK
1983- Label and catalog number
- Magnet MAGL 5048Magnet magl 5048
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
MAGL 5048 A-3U-1-2-4Side A
MAGL 5048 B-2U-1-2- 2Side B
MAGL 5048 ASide A label
MAGL 5048 BSide B label
Australasia
1983- Label and catalog number
- Magnet 823 077-1
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
823 077 - ASide A runout etched
823 077 - BSide B runout etched
-MASTERED ON COPPER-Stamped in runout both sides
Australia
1983- Label and catalog number
- Magnet L-37999
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
SMX-60631Side A label
SMX-60362Side B label
Brazil
1983- Label and catalog number
- Young 308.7031
- Format
- LP, Album
Canada
1983- Label and catalog number
- Magnet MAGL 5048
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
CR (In a circle) MAGL-5048-A JWSide A etched CR stamped
CR (In a circle) MAGL-5048-B JW JDSide B etched CR stamped
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 38 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s34 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australasia | Magnet 823 077-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia | Magnet L-37999First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Brazil | Young 308.7031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Magnet MAGL 5048First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Magnet 205 495First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Magnet 205 495First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Magnet 242 372-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Magnet MAGL 5048First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Magnet 823 077-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Magnet 723 660 / Magnet 723.660First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Magnet 713006 / Magnet 713006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Magnet 6.25533 AO / Magnet 6.25 533First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Magnet 823 077-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Magnet 823 077-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Magnet 823 077-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
Year unknown4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Magnet 242 372-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Magnet MAGL 5048 / Magnet 5048LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Magnet 6.25533 AO / Magnet 6.25533LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Magnet MAGL 5048LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
Tracklist
- A1Nothing's Happening By The Sea4:18
- A2Deep Water4:06
- A3Candles4:40
- A4Love's Strange Ways3:38
- A5Texas3:58
- B1Let It Loose3:35
- B2I Can Hear Your Heart Beat3:28
- B3Midnight Blue4:50
- B4Hey You4:00
- B5Out Of The Darkness3:27
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Water Sign are there?
38 vinyl pressings of Water Sign are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1983 and 1988.
When was Water Sign first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, Australasia, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Magnet MAGL 5048.
How do I tell if my copy of Water Sign is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MAGL 5048, 823 077-1, L-37999, 308.7031) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MAGL-5048.A MT.1 DAMONT M and MAGL-5048.B MT.1 DAMONT. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Water Sign on vinyl worth?
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.
