Vinyl pressings
by Echo & The Bunnymen · 1983
Porcupine 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.
31 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
R/S Alsdorf 240027-1 A2 RAYS 3GVariant 1 side A, runout
R/S Alsdorf 240027-1 B4 3Variant 1 side B, runout
R/S Alsdorf 240027-1 A2X GB RAYSVariant 2 side A, runout
R/S Alsdorf 240027-1 B4X 46Variant 2 side B, runout
RAYS 3GVariant 1 Side A, Runout, Etched
R/S Alsdorf 240027-1 A2Variant 1 Side A, Runout, Stamped
R/S Alsdorf 240027-1 B4 3Variant 1 Side B, Runout, Stamped
R/S Alsdorf 240027-1 A2X GB RAYSVariant 2 Side A, Runout, Stamped, Etched
R/S Alsdorf 240027-1 A2Side A runout, stamped
R/S Alsdorf 240027-1 B4 3Side B runout, stamped
STRAWBERRY (G) R/S Alsdorf 240074-1 A 11Side A runout, stamped / etched
R/S Alsdorf 240027-1 B4̶ 3 21Side B runout, stamped / etched
1-23770 A WW1 -------◄Side A runout, variant 1
1-23770 B WW1 -------◄Side B runout, variant 1
1-23770 A WW2 #2 ----◄Side A runout, variant 2
1-23770 B WW4 ----◄Side B runout, variant 2
1 23770 A SH1 B - 17712 - SH1 SLM △3619Runout Side A (variant 1)
1 23770 B SH1 B - 17713 - SH1 SLM △3619 - XRunout Side B (variant 1)
1 23770 A SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B - 17712 - SH1 SLM △3619 1- 01Runout Side A (variant 2)
1 23770 B SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B - 17713 - SH1 SLM △3619-X 1- SP 0-1Runout Side B (variant 2)
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 240027-1 / Korova 240027-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Brazil | WEA 28.078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Korova 24 00271 / Korova KODE 6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Korova KODE 6 / WEA 240027-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Korova 240027-1 / Korova KODE 6First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | Korova KODE 6 / Korova 240027-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Korova KODE 6 / WEA 240027-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Korova 240027-1 / Korova 24.0027-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | WEA 240027 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | WEA 240027 1First yearLP, Album, White Label, Stereo | LP, Album, White Label, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | Korova KODE 6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Ireland | Korova KODE 6 / WEA 240027-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Korova 24 0027-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Korova P-11288 / WEA P-11288First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | WEA 240027 1 / Korova 240027 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | 1972 if04LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2014 | UK | Vinyl 180 VIN180LP070 / Korova VIN180LP070LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2014 | UK | Vinyl 180 VIN180LP071 / Korova VIN180LP071LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Compilation | LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Korova KODE 6LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2021 | Europe | Korova KODE 6LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | WEA 28.078 / WEA 604.7037LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Korova 24 00271 / Korova KODE 6LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | Korova 240027-1 / Korova KODE 6LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Korova 240027-1 / Korova KODE 6LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Korova 24 0027-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | 1972 if04LP, Album | LP, Album |
43 vinyl pressings of Porcupine are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1983 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK & Europe, US, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is Korova KODE 6, released February 4, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KODE 6, 9 23770-1, 1-23770, 240027-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 240027-1 A2 RAYS 3G and R/S Alsdorf 240027-1 B4 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.
