Vinyl pressings
by David Sylvian · 1986
Silver Moon was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. 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 1986, the album's first year, in 4 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.
VS 89512 A-1U-1-1-Side A, stamped, variant 1
VS 89512 B-1U-1-1-Side B, stamped, variant 1
VS 89512 A-1U-1-2-X1 DSide A, stamped, variant 2
VS 89512 B-1U-1-1-1 DSide B, stamped, variant 2
VS 895 A-1 U-1-1-2Runout variant 1 stamped side A
VS 895 B-1 U-1- / X1Runout variant 1 stamped side B
VS 895 A-1 U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSE DRunout variant 2 stamped side A
VS 895 B-1 U-1- / -1 DRunout variant 2 stamped side B
VS 895 A-1 U-1-1-X1 TOWNHOUSE DSide A Run-Out Groove Etching, Variant 1
VS 895 B-1U-1- /-X1 DSide B Run-Out Groove Etching, Variant 1
VS 895 A-1 U-1-1- 3 TOWNHOUSE DSide A Run-Out Groove Etching, Variant #2
VS 895 B-1U-1- /-1 DSide B Run-Out Groove Etching, Variant #2
VS 89512 A-1U-1-2-1Side A
VS 89512 B-1U-1-1-14Side B
VS 89512 A-1U-1-1- DRunout Side A
VS 89512 B-1U-1-1- DRunout Side B
VSDJ895 A-6U-1-1-1-1Side A, Stamped
VSDJ 895 B-4U-1-1-1Side B, Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Germany | Virgin 608 540First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Italy | Virgin VINX 144First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Virgin VSP 895 / Virgin VSP895First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1986 | UK | Virgin VS DJ 895First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | Virgin VS895-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | Virgin VS 895-12 DJFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | Virgin VS895-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1986 | France | Virgin SA 1079First year7", Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | Virgin VS DJ 8957", Single Sided, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", Single Sided, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | UK | Virgin VSDJ 8957", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1986 | UK | Virgin VS895First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
11 vinyl pressings of Silver Moon are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, Germany, Italy, France. One of them is Virgin VS895-12, released September 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS895-12, VS895, VSP 895, VS 895-12 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 89512 A-1U-1-1- and VS 89512 B-1U-1-1-. 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.
