Vinyl pressings
by Dire Straits · 1979
Lady Writer was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 17 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.
6059230 1F//2▽E420 11 6 RCRunout side A, variant 1
6059230 2F//2▽E420 11 3Runout side B, variant 1
6059230 1F//2▽E420 11 1 RCRunout side A, variant 2
6059230 2F//1▽E420 11 3Runout side B, variant 2
6059230 1F//2▽E420 11 10 RCSide A runout
6059230 2F//1▽E420 1 1 7Side B runout
WBS 49006 WAA 8815-S•LW1• 1 ✲Side A runout
WBS 49006 WAA 8813-S-LW2• 1 ✲Side B runout
WAA 8815SSide A label
WAA 8813SSide B label
WBS 49006 WAA 8815-S-WW1 ─◁Side A runout
WBS 49006 WAA 8813-S-WW1 ─◁Side B runout
WAA 8815SSide A label
WAA 8813SSide B label
WBS 49006 WAA 8815-S SR 1 SP-1Side A runout
WBS 49006 WAA 8813-S SR 1 SP-1Side B runout
WAA 8815SSide A label
WAA 8813SSide B label
WBS 49006 WAA 8815-S-LW1 ✲Runout stereo-side
WBS 49006 WAA 8815-DJ-LW1 ✲Runout mono-side
WAA 8815SLabel stereo-side
WAA 8815Label mono-side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Austria | Vertigo 6059 230First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Mercury M-74089 / Mercury 6007 224First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Mercury M-74089 / Mercury 6007 224First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Ecuador | Philips 6360 170 / Philips 30291First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | France | Vertigo 6173 588First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Vertigo 6059 230First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Ireland | Vertigo 6059 230First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Italy | Vertigo 6059 230First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Japan | Vertigo SNP-1016First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | Vertigo SFL-2418First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Japan | Vertigo SNP-88First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo, Sampler, White Label · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo, Sampler, White Label · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | Vertigo SFL-2418First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6059 230First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Vertigo 6059 230First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Portugal | Vertigo 6059 230First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | Vertigo 6059 2307", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Brazil | Vertigo 6059 2307", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
27 vinyl pressings of Lady Writer are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Vertigo 6059 230.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6059 230, WBS 49006, M-74089, 6360 170) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6059230 1F//2▽E420 11 6 RC and 6059230 2F//2▽E420 11 3. 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.
