Vinyl pressings
by Echo & The Bunnymen · 1980
Rescue was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 3 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.
KOW 1T A-1 A PORKY PRIME CUT MOLOKO PLUSSide A runout, etched, variant 1
KOW 1T B-1 A PORKY PRIME CUTSide B runout, etched, variant 1
KOW 1T A-1 W-3 A PORKY PRIME CUT MOLOKO PLUSSide A runout, etched, variant 2
KOW 1T B-1 W-1 KD A PORKY PRIME CUTSide B runout, etched, variant 2
KOW 1 A-1 W-2Variant 1, Side A runout, etched
KOW 1 B-1 BUNNYMEN SKINS RULE OK W-1Variant 1, Side B runout, etched
KOW 1 A-1 W-1Variant 2, Side A runout, etched
KOW 1 B-1 BUNNYMEN SKINS RULE OK W-1 KDVariant 2, Side B runout, etched
FROM THE ZOO WEA TIP 3 KOW 1 EDIT A1 A PORKY PRIME CUTSide A runout, etched
WEA TIP 3 KOW 1 EDIT B-1Side B runout, etched
KOW 1 EDIT A-1 A PORKY PRIME CUT FROM THE ZOO W-3Side A, hand-etched runout
KOW 1 EDIT B-1 W-ZSide B, hand-etched runout
KOW 1 A*Side A label
KOW 1 B*Side B label
KOW 1 A-1 W-2Etched side A
KOW 1 B-1 BUNNYMEN SKINS RULE OK W-1Etched side B
KOW 1 EDIT A-1 A PORKY PRIME CUT FROM THE ZOOSide A runout
KOW 1 B-1 BUNNYMEN SKINS RULE OKSide B runout
KOW 1 A*Side A label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Italy | Korova U 18220First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Korova KOW 1 / Korova K 18220First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Korova KOW 1First year7", Single, White Label | 7", Single, White Label |
| 1980 | UK | Korova KOW 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Korova KOW 1 / Korova K 182207", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1980 | UK | Korova KOW 1First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | UK | Korova KOW 1 / Korova K 18220First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Korova KOW 1 / Korova K 18220First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Korova KOW 1TFirst year12", 45 RPM, White Label, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, White Label, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Korova KOW 1T / Korova KOW 1 (T)First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Australia | WEA 100154First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Korova SAM1457", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | UK | Korova KOW17", Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | 7", Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
13 vinyl pressings of Rescue are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1980 and 2006.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Australia, Italy. One of them is Korova KOW 1T, released May 5, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KOW 1T, KOW 1, 100154, U 18220) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, KOW 1T A-1 A PORKY PRIME CUT MOLOKO PLUS and KOW 1T B-1 A PORKY PRIME CUT. 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.
