Vinyl pressings
by David Sylvian · 1985
Words With The Shaman was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 7 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 83512 A-2U-1-1-4Side One, variant 1
VS 83512 B-1U-1-1-Side Two, variant 1
V S 8 3 5 1 2 A - 1 U - 1 - 1 (1 or -)Stamped, Side One, variant 2
V S 8 3 (5 stamped over unknown #) 1 2 B - 1 U - 1 - 1 (1 or -)5 [TH1]Stamped, Side Two, variant 2, [etched]
M6 351675 2 8356 A ISide A, runout, stamped
M6 351676 2 8356 B ISide B, runout, stamped
VINX-99-A 20-11-85 MM
VINX-99-B 20-11-85 MM
VSX 1297-A CRRunout side A
VSX 1297-B CRRunout side B
DM 602066 A-1/85S ISide A, stamped
DM 602066 B-1/85S ISide B, stamped
S 602 066 ALabel side A
S 602 066 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Canada | Virgin VSX1297First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 602 066 / Virgin 602 066-213First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 602 066 / Virgin 602 066-213First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 602 066 / Virgin 602 066-213First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1985 | Japan | Virgin 14VA-9004First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Virgin VS835-12First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1985 | UK | Virgin VS 835-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, EP, Partially Mixed, White Label, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, EP, Partially Mixed, White Label, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Virgin 008356First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Italy | Virgin VINX 99First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1985 | UK | Virgin VS 835-12 / Virgin VS835-12First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Partially Mixed, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Partially Mixed, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | Virgin 14VA-900412", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1986 | Greece | Virgin VG 2066-Z12", Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", Maxi-Single, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Words With The Shaman are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, France, Italy, Canada and more. One of them is Virgin VS 835-12, released December 2, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 835-12, 008356, VINX 99, VSX1297) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 83512 A-2U-1-1-4 and VS 83512 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.
