Vinyl pressings
by Dire Straits · 1991
Calling Elvis was first pressed on vinyl in 1991. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1991, the album's first year, in 8 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.
MASTERDISK DSTR-16-A-3 xxxx DSTR16 A-3 U-1-Q2Runout side A, variant 1
DSTR-16-B-3 xx DSTR 16 B-3 U-1-Q2Runout side B, variant 1
MASTERDISK D DSTR-16-A-4 XX DSTR 16 A-4U-1-Q4Runout side A, variant 2
D DSTR-16-B-3 XX DSTR 16 B 3U-1-Q2Runout side B, variant 2
DSTR-16-A-4 DSTR 16A-4U-1-3 MASTERDISK DRunout side A
DSTR-16-B-3 DSTR 16 B-3U-1-1 DRunout side B
868 756-7.1Label side A
868 756-7.2Label side B
DSTR-16-A-3 xxxx DSTR16 A-3 U-1-Q2 MASTERDISK DRunout side A
DSTR-16-B-3 xx DSTR 16 B-3 U-1-Q2 DRunout side B
DSTR 16ALabel side A
DSTR 16BLabel side B
DSTR 12 A−4U−1−Runout side A, variant 1
DSTR 12 B−4U−1−2Runout side B, variant 1
DSTR 1612 A-4U-1-2 D TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout side A, variant 2
DSTR 1612 B-4U-1-2 TOWNHOUSE DMM DRunout side B, variant 2
DSTR-16-A-3 xxxx DSTR16 A-3 U-1-Q2 MASTERDISK DSide A runout
DSTR-16-B-3 xx DSTR 16 B-3 U-1-Q2 DSide B runout
DSTR 16ASide A label
DSTR 16BSide B label
DSTR 12 A−4U−1−1Runout side A
DSTR 12 B−4U−1−1Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Australasia | Vertigo 868 756-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | Australasia | Vertigo 868 757-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | Brazil | Vertigo 2801 521First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1991 | Europe | Vertigo 868 757-1 / Vertigo DSTR16 12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | Europe | Vertigo 868 756-7 / Vertigo DSTR 16First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1991 | France | Vertigo 868 756-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | France | Vertigo 868 756-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1991 | France | Vertigo 868 756-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | Portugal | Polygram 868 756-7 / Vertigo DSTR16First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | Portugal | Vertigo 868 757-1 / Vertigo DSTR16 12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | Spain | Vertigo 868 757-1 / Vertigo DSTR16 12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | UK | Vertigo DSTR 16 / Vertigo DSTR16First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | UK | Vertigo DSTR16 / Vertigo 868 756-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | UK | Vertigo DSTR 16 / Vertigo 868 756-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1991 | UK | Vertigo DSTRR 16First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
20 vinyl pressings of Calling Elvis are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1991, in UK, US, Australasia, Europe and more. One of them is Vertigo DSTR 16.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DSTR 16, DSTR16, DSTR16 12, DSTRR 16) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MASTERDISK DSTR-16-A-3 xxxx DSTR16 A-3 U-1-Q2 and DSTR-16-B-3 xx DSTR 16 B-3 U-1-Q2. 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.
