Vinyl pressings
by Erasure · 1992
Breath Of Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1992. 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 1992, the album's first year, in 4 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.
MUTE 142 A1 1 JONZ DAMONTSide A runout, variant 1
MUTE 142 B1 1 The Exchange DAMONT 3Side B runout, variant 1
MUTE 142 A1 2 JONZ DAMONTSide A runout, variant 2
MUTE 142 B1 2 The Exchange DAMONTSide B runout, variant 2
12 MUTE 142 - A1 PR-M JONZ 'n' MIKE'S - THE EXCHANGE PEtched Side A, variant 1
12 MUTE 142 - B1 JONZ 'n' MIKE'S - THE EXCHANGE PR-M MEtched Side B, variant 1
12 MUTE 142 - A1 PR-M JONZ 'n' MIKE'S - THE EXCHANGE PEtched Side A, variant 2
12 MUTE 142 - B1 JONZ 'n' MIKE'S - THE EXCHANGE PR-M JEtched Side B, variant 2
MUTE 142 A1 N JONZ DAMONTSide A runout, etched
MUTE 142 B N The ExchangeSide B runout, etched
12 MUTE 142 - A1 PR-M JONZ 'n' MIKE'S - THE EXCHANGEEtched, side A
12 MUTE 142 - B1 JONZ 'n' MIKE'S - THE EXCHANGE PR-M BEtched, side B
R MUTE 142 A1 JONZSide A runout
R MUTE 142 B1 The ExchangeSide B runout
SRC 0-40344-A-SR1 1-1Side A
SRC 0-40344-B-SR2 1-1Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Spain | Mute 12MUTE142First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1992 | Spain | Sanni Records Mute 142 / Mute Mute 142First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1992 | UK | Mute R Mute 142 / Mute Mute 142First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1992 | US | Sire 0-40344 / Reprise Records 0-40344First year12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1992 | Germany | Mute INT 111.897 / Mute int 111.897First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1992 | Germany | Mute INT 126.997 / Mute 12 MUTE 142First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1992 | UK | Mute Mute 142First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1992 | UK | Mute 12 Mute 142First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1992 | UK | Mute 12 MUTE 142First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1992 | UK | Mute Mute 142First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Breath Of Life are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1992, in UK, US, Germany, Spain. One of them is Mute Mute 142, released March 16, 1992.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use Mute 142, 12 Mute 142, 12 MUTE 142, R Mute 142) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MUTE 142 A1 1 JONZ DAMONT and MUTE 142 B1 1 The Exchange DAMONT 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.
