Vinyl pressings
by David Sylvian · 1984
The Ink In The Well was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 5 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 70012 A-1U-1-1-1Side A runout, variation 1, machine stamped
VS 70012 B-4U-1-1-:: :Side B runout, variation 1, machine stamped
VS 70012 A-2U-1-1-: 2Side A runout, variation 2, machine stamped
VS 70012 B-4U-1-I- 2Side B runout, variation 2, machine stamped
VS700ASide A
VS700BSide B
VS 700 A-1U-1-1- X 1Variant 1, side A runout, etched
VS 700 B-3U-1-1-5Variant 1, side B runout, etched
VS 700 A-1U-1-11 ORunout side A
VS 700 B-4U-1-1-1 ORunout side B
VS 70012 A-1U-1-1-5Runout, Side A, Stamped, variant 1
VS 70012 B-4U-1-1-1Runout, Side B, Stamped, variant 1
VS 70012 A-2U-1-1-2Runout, Side A, Stamped, variant 2
VS 70012 B-3U-1-1-1Runout Side B, Stamped, variant 2
VS 70012 A-2U-1-1-:: :Side A runout
VS 70012 B-4U-1-ISide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin VS 70012 / Virgin VS700-12First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin VS 700 / Virgin VS700First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin VS 70012 / Virgin VS700-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin VS700First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | Virgin 601 402 / Virgin 601 402-213First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Ireland | Virgin VS 700First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 700.12 / Virgin VS700-12First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin VS 700-12First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin VS700-12First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin VS 700-12First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin VS 700-12 / Virgin VS700-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin VS700First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin VS700First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
13 vinyl pressings of The Ink In The Well are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Australia, Germany, Ireland and more. One of them is Virgin VS 700-12, released August 6, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 700-12, VS700, VS700-12, VS 70012) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 70012 A-1U-1-1-1 and VS 70012 B-4U-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.
