Vinyl pressings
by Erasure · 1988
Ship Of Fools was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
38 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
* MUTE-74 A-1 * MT NICKZ PenthouseSide A, runout, variant 1
* MUTE-74 B-1 * Penthouse MTSide B, runout, variant 1
* MUTE-74 A-1 * II MT NICKZ PenthouseSide A, runout, variant 2
* MUTE-74 B-1 * II Penthouse MTSide B, runout ,variant 2
✱ 12·MUTE·74 A·I ✱ Nickz Penthouse MTRunout Side A [hand-etched, 'Penthouse' machine-stamped]
✱ 12·MUTE·74 B-I ✱ MTRunout Side B [hand-etched]
L-12-MUTE-74-A PAG The Exchange ASide A variant 1
L-12-MUTE-74-B1 PAG Jonz JSide B variant 1
L-12-MUTE-74 A PAG The Exchange BSide A variant 2
L-12-MUTE-74-B1 PAG Jonz BSide B variant 2
✻ MUTE-74 A-¹ ✻ MT NICKZ [stamped: Penthouse]Etched side A
✻ MUTE-74 B-¹ ✻ [stamped: Penthouse] MTEtched, side B
* MUTE-74 A-1 * II MT NICKZ PenthouseSide A, runout
* MUTE-74 B-1 * II Penthouse MTSide B, runout
* MUTE-74 A-1 * MT NICKZ Penthouse DAMONT JSide A, runout
* MUTE-74 B-1 * II Penthouse MT. DAMONT LSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | Mute 104867First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1988 | Australia | Mute TDS 442First yearMaxi-Single, 45 RPM, 12" | Maxi-Single, 45 RPM, 12" |
| 1988 | Belgium | Mute MUTE 4674 / Mute mute 74First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | France | Mute 80362First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | France | Mute 90396First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Germany | Mute INT 126.879 / Mute L12 mute 74First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1988 | Germany | Mute C-126 879 / Mute C-76.20 20312", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Ireland | Mute 12 mute 74First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Italy | Mute mute 74First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Italy | Mute mute 74First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1988 | Italy | Mute MUTEX 74 / Mute mutex 74First year12" | 12" |
| 1988 | Italy | Mute MUTEX 74First year12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1988 | Italy | Mute Mute 74First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1988 | Portugal | Mute mute 74 / Mute 502544First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Portugal | Mute 402546First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
41 vinyl pressings of Ship Of Fools are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, France, Belgium, Germany and more. One of them is Mute mute 74, released February 22, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use mute 74, 12 mute 74, L12 mute 74, Mute 74) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, * MUTE-74 A-1 * MT NICKZ Penthouse and * MUTE-74 B-1 * Penthouse MT. 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.
