Vinyl pressings
by Dire Straits · 1985
Walk Of Life 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.
33 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 12 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.
DSTR 12 A // 1 ▽ 420 T 3 1 2 JARunout, A-side, variant 1
DSTR 12 B // 2 ▽ 420 T 1 1 2 4 JARunout, B-side, variant 1
DSTR 12 A // 1 ▽ 420 T 3 4 JARunout, A-side, variant 2
DSTR 12 B // 2 ▽ 420 T 2 3 JARunout, B-side, variant 2
DSTR 1212 A//1▽420 T 11 1 JASide A runout, variant 1
DSTR 1212 B//1▽420 T 11 1 JACKO ADAMSSide B runout, variant 1
DSTR 1212 A//1▽420 T 11 1 JASide A runout, variant 2
DSTR 1212 B//1▽420 T 11 3 JACKO ❤ JOYCIESide B runout, variant 2
DSTR 12A//1▽420T 14 4 JASide A runout
DSTR 12 B//1▽420T 3 1 JASide B runout
DSTR-12-A1 sw JARunout side A
DSTR-12-B1 swRunout side B
6059206 A//5▽420W PhilRunout side C
6059206 2F//2▽420 04 1 6 1 3Runout side D
DSTR-12-A1 sw JARunout side A
DSTR-12-B1 swRunout side B
6059206 A//5▽420W 1 4 PhilRunout side C
6059206 2F//2▽420 04 1 6 1 5Runout side D
DSTR-12-A1 SW JASide A runout, etched
DSTR-12-B1 SWSide B runout, etched
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 | Australasia | Vertigo 880 994-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australasia | Vertigo 884 397-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australasia | Vertigo 884 372-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Vertigo SOVX 2352First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition, Single · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition, Single · Limited |
| 1985 | Canada | Vertigo SOV 2352First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Vertigo DJV 152First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Advance, Promo, Sampler · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Advance, Promo, Sampler · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | Vertigo DJ 74First year7", 45 RPM, Advance, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Advance, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | Vertigo SOV 2352First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Ecuador | Vertigo 45-31011 / Vertigo 884 397-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Vertigo 880 994-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Vertigo 884 397-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | France | Vertigo 884 397-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Vertigo 884 372-1 / Vertigo 884 372-1QFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Guatemala | Vertigo 880 994-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Ireland | Vertigo DSTR 12First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
43 vinyl pressings of Walk Of Life are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1985 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Japan, Germany and more. One of them is Vertigo DSTR 12, released December 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DSTR 12, DSTR 1212, DSTRD 12, 7-29013) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DSTR 12 A // 1 ▽ 420 T 3 1 2 JA and DSTR 12 B // 2 ▽ 420 T 1 1 2 4 JA. 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.
