Vinyl pressings
by Def Leppard · 1988
Armageddon It! 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.
28 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.
870 - 692 - 7 - 2 - 59179- CBS G1 A-15 [Stamped] MASTERDISKEtched in runout, side A
870 - 692 - 60020 - CBS G1 A-5Etched in runout, side B
870-692-7-2-59179-SP 1-1 MASTERDISK [SRC logo]Etched Side A, except MASTERDISK [SRC logo] stamped
870-692-7-2-60020-SP 1-1 [SRC logo]Etched Side B, except SRC logo stamped
870-692-7-2-59179 REV-ES -EMW- HWside A (etched, variant 1)
MASTERDISKside A (stamped, both sides)
2-59179-REVBoth labels
870-692-7-2-59179 REV ESI -EMW- HWopposite side (also labeled side A, etched, variant 1)
LEP 4 A//3∇420T 11 1 JARunout side A
LEP 4 B//3∇420T 11 2 JARunout side B
LEPX 4 A//1▽ 420 T 1 1 JASide A runout, variant 1, stamped [except 'JA', hand-etched]
LEPX 4 B//2▽420 T 1 1 JASide B runout, variant 1, stamped [except 'JA', hand-etched]
LEPX 4 A//1▽ 420 T 1 1 2 JASide A runout, variant 2, stamped [except 'JA', hand-etched]
LEPX 4 B//2▽420 T 1 1 1 JASide B runout, variant 2, stamped [except 'JA', hand-etched]
LEPX 4 A//2▽420T 1 1 3 JASide A (stamped, except for "JA")
LEPX 4 B//2▽420 T 1 1 4 JASide B (stamped, except for "JA")
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 | Australia | Mercury 870 239-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Australia | Mercury 870 239-1 / Bludgeon Riffola 870 239-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Australia | Mercury 870 239-1 / Bludgeon Riffola 870 239-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1988 | Canada | Vertigo 870-692-7P / Polygram 870-692-7PFirst year7", Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | 7", Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1988 | Canada | Vertigo 870 692-7 / Bludgeon Riffola 870 692-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Ireland | Mercury LEP 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Mexico | PolyGram S/N-780First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1988 | Netherlands | Bludgeon Riffola 870 239-7First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Netherlands | Bludgeon Riffola Ltd. 870 239-1 / Mercury 870 239-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Portugal | Mercury 870 239-7 / Bludgeon Riffola 870 239-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | Bludgeon Riffola 870 239-7 / Mercury 870 239-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | Mercury 870 239-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | Mercury 870 239-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | Mercury 870 239-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | Bludgeon Riffola LEP 4 / Bludgeon Riffola 870 239-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Bludgeon Riffola LEPX 4 A1420T12", Advance | 12", Advance |
30 vinyl pressings of Armageddon It! are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1988 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Mercury 870 692-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 870 692-7, 870 692-7 DJ, LEPP 4, LEPX 4) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 870 - 692 - 7 - 2 - 59179- CBS G1 A-15 [Stamped] MASTERDISK and 870 - 692 - 60020 - CBS G1 A-5. 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.
