Vinyl pressings
by Echo & The Bunnymen · 1983
Echo And The Bunnymen was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 5 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.
1 - 23987 A SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-18697 - SH2 SLM △ 5544 1-1Side A runout, variant 1
1 - 23987 B SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-18698 - SH2 SLM △ 5544-X 1-1Side B runout, variant 1
1 - 23987 A SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-18697 - SH1 SLM △ 5544 1-1Side A runout, variant 2
1 - 23987 B SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-18698 - SH1 SLM △ 5544-X 1-1Side B runout, variant 2
Side 1 (Etched): 1-23987-A-WW1 ─◁
Side 2 (Etched): 1-23987-B WW2 ─◁
1 23987 A JW1 #1 0Side A, etched except 0 (var 1)
1 23987 B JW2 #1 0Side B, etched except 0 (var 1)
1 23987 A JW1 #2 0Side A, etched except 0 (var 2)
1 23987 B JW2 #1 0Side B, etched except 0 (var 2)
1 - 23987 A SH1 ɑ B-18697 - SH1 SLM △ 5544 0-1Variant 1, Side A runout
1 - 23987 B SH1 ɑ B-18698 - SH1 SLM △ 5544-X 0-1Variant 1, Side B runout
1 - 23987 A SH2 ɑ B-18697 - SH2 SLM △ 5544 1-1Variant 2, Side A runout
1 - 23987 B SH2 ɑ B-18698 - SH2 SLM △ 5544-X 1-1Variant 2, Side B runout
Side 1 (Etched): 1-23987-A-WW1 ─◁
Side 2 (Etched): 1-23987-B WW2 ─◁
1 - 23987 A SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-18697 - SH1 SLM △ 5544 1̶-̶2̶ 0-1Side A runout
1 - 23987 B SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-18698 - SH1 SLM △ 5544-X 1̶-̶2̶ 0-1Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | WEA 23987-1 / Korova 23987-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Korova 92 39871First yearLP, Mini-Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Mini-Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | Korova 92 39871First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Sire 239871First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1983 | US | Sire 1-23987 / Sire 9 23987-1 BFirst year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Compilation | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Compilation |
| 1983 | US | Sire 1-23987First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album |
| 1983 | US | Sire 1-23987First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album |
| 1983 | US | Sire 1-23987 / Sire 9 23987-1 BFirst year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, EP | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, EP |
| 1983 | US | Sire 1-23987First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album |
| 1983 | US | Sire 1-23987 / Sire 9 23987-1 BFirst year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Compilation | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Compilation |
| 1983 | Japan | WEA P-6195 / Korova P-6195First yearLP, Mini-Album, Compilation · Colored vinyl | LP, Mini-Album, Compilation · Colored vinyl |
| 1983 | Japan | WEA P-6195 / Korova P-6195First yearLP, Mini-Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Mini-Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Japan | WEA P-6195 / Korova P-6195First yearLP, Mini-Album, Compilation | LP, Mini-Album, Compilation |
13 vinyl pressings of Echo And The Bunnymen are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Japan, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Sire 1-23987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1-23987, P-6195, 23987-1, 92 39871) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1 - 23987 A SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-18697 - SH2 SLM △ 5544 1-1 and 1 - 23987 B SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-18698 - SH2 SLM △ 5544-X 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.
