Vinyl pressings
by Curiosity Killed The Cat · 1987
Keep Your Distance 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.
25 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 20 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.
C A T LP 1 A // 1▽420 R 1 2 3Runout side A variant 1
CATLP 1 B // 2▽420 R 1 1 6Runout side B variant 1
C A T LP 1 A //1 ▽ 420 RRunout side A variant 2
C A T LP 1 B // 1 ▽ 420 RRunout side B variant 2
* CATLP-1 A-5 * MT. 1 1Runout side A, variant 1
* CATLP-1 B-5 * MT. 2 1Runout side B, variant 1
* CATLP-1 A-4 * 11 MT.Runout side A, variant 2
* CATLP-1 B-5 * MT. 1Runout side B, variant 2
422-832-025-1-AS-SR 4̶2̶2̶-̶8̶3̶2̶-̶0̶3̶5̶-̶1̶-̶A̶S̶-̶S̶R̶ 1-1 STERLING SRCSide A runout
422-832-025-1-BS-SR SRC 4̶2̶2̶-̶8̶3̶2̶-̶0̶3̶5̶-̶1̶-̶B̶S̶-̶S̶R̶ 1-1Side B runout
422 832-025-1-A B-1 ▻ HRM1A Side Etch
422 832-025-BS A-2 ▻ HRMB Side Etch
[numbers crossed out] 422-832-025-1-AS-SR 1-1 STERLING [stamp] SRC [logo stamp]A-side runout etching
422-832-025-1-BS-SR SRC [logo stamp] [numbers crossed out] 1-1B-side runout etching
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 | Argentina | Mercury 832 025-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australasia | Mercury 832025-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | Mercury 832 025-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Vertigo 832 025-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Colombia | Mercury 8320251First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | Mercury 832 025-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Greece | Mercury 832 025-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | Mercury 832 025-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1987 | Ireland | Mercury CATLP 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Israel | Mercury 832 025-1 / Phonokol 832 025-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | Mercury 832 025-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-215First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | Mercury 25PP - 215First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Mexico | Mercury LPR 19160First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Philippines | Mercury LP832 025-1First yearLP | LP |
25 vinyl pressings of Keep Your Distance are listed here, from 20 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Argentina, Australasia and more. One of them is Mercury CATLP 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CATLP 1, 422 832-025-1 Q-1, 832 025-1, 832025-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, C A T LP 1 A // 1▽420 R 1 2 3 and CATLP 1 B // 2▽420 R 1 1 6. 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.
