Vinyl pressings
by David Knopfler · 1988
Lips Against The Steel 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.
9 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 9 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.
PARIS 4 A1 -DMM- A TOWNHOUSE DMMA-side runout, variant 1
PARIS 4 B1 -DMM- B TOWNHOUSE DMMB-side runout, variant 1
PARIS 4 A1 -DMM- B TOWNHOUSE DMMA-side runout, variant 2
PARIS 4 B1 TOWNHOUSE DMM -DMM- AB-side runout, variant 2
YL 0120-A-ES1 -EMW-Etched Side A
YL 0120-B-ES1 -EMW-Etched Side B
"Trumpet" symbolStamped Both Sides
CYP-907-A STM-TLCEtched Side A
CYP-907-B STM-TLCEtched Side B
835 967-1 S1 3 20Side A
835 967-1 S2 3 20Side B
DMMC-2601 A-2/5-88 CA
DMMC-2601 B-2/5-88 CB
DMMC-2601 A-3/6-88A
SNIR 25123/1Label side A
SNIR 25123/2Label side B
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 | Canada | Cypress Records CYP 907First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | Polydor 835 967-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Germany | Intercord INT 145.116First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Italy | Ricordi International SNIR 25123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Italy | Ricordi International SNIR 25123LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | New Zealand | Mighty Boy MB LP 7010 / Mighty Boy MBLP 7010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | South Africa | Principal Record Company RSL 1048First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Sweden | Polydor 835 967-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | Paris Records PARIS 4First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Cypress Records YL0120 / Cypress Records YL 0120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of Lips Against The Steel are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Paris Records PARIS 4.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PARIS 4, YL0120, CYP 907, 835 967-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PARIS 4 A1 -DMM- A TOWNHOUSE DMM and PARIS 4 B1 -DMM- B TOWNHOUSE DMM. 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.
