Vinyl pressings
by David Sylvian · 1987
Secrets Of The Beehive 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.
17 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 12 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.
V 2471 A-1U-1-1 DDSide A runout, variant 1
V 2471 B-1U-1-5 DSide B runout, variant 1
V 2471 A-1U-1-1 ... DD TOWN HOUSE DMMSide A runout, variant 2
V 2471 B-1U-1-1 . DDSide B runout, variant 2
[SRC logo] STVR-876591-A SP-AR Precision B-29375-A △18516 0–Side A runout, variant 1
[SRC logo] STVR-876592-A 1–2 SP-AR Precision B-29376-A △18516-X 0-Side B runout, variant 1
[SRC logo] STVR-876591-A 1-2 SP-AR Precision B-29375-A △18516 0-Side A runout, variant 2
[SRC logo] STVR 876592-A 1–2 SP-AR Precision B-29376-A △18516-X 0 -Side B runout, variant 2
[SRC logo] STVR-876591-A 1-3 PrecisionSide A runout, variant 1
[SRC logo] STVR-876592-A 1-2 PrecisionSide B runout, variant 1
[SRC logo] STVR-876591-A 1-1 PrecisionSide A runout, variant 2
[SRC logo] STVR-876592-A 1-1 PrecisionSide B runout, variant 2
V2471ASide A label
V2471BSide B label
VL 2471-ASide A runout, etched
VL 2471-BSide B runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | Virgin V2471 / Virgin V 2471First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australia | Virgin V2471 / Virgin V 2471First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Virgin VL2471 / Virgin VL 2471First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Virgin VL2471 / Virgin VL 2471First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | Virgin 208 675 / Virgin 208 675-630First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | Virgin 208 675 / Virgin 208 675-630First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | France | Virgin 124711First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | France | Virgin 124711LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Greece | Virgin VG 50304First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Israel | Virgin V 2471First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | Virgin V 2471First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | Virgin VJL-28005 / Virgin Japan VJL-28005First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Japan | Virgin VJL-28005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Portugal | Edisom 605468First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | Virgin T-208 675 / Virgin T 208675First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe | Virgin EMI Records 679 533-6 / UMC 679 533-6LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Europe | Integral INTGDS00039LP / Virgin EMI Records INTGDS00039LPLP, Album, Reissue, Repress · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress · Colored vinyl |
21 vinyl pressings of Secrets Of The Beehive are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1987 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Virgin V 2471, released October 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V 2471, 7 90677-1, V2471, VL2471) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V 2471 A-1U-1-1 DD and V 2471 B-1U-1-5 D. 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.
