Vinyl pressings
by Erasure · 1990
Star was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1990, the album's first year, in 7 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-111-A1✱ The Exchange JONZ MAXSide A runout, variant 1
MUTE-111-B1 ✱ JONZ MAXSide B runout, variant 1
MUTE-111-A1✱ The Exchange JONZ MAX BSide A runout, variant 2
MUTE-111-B1 ✱ JONZ MAX BSide B runout, variant 2
12 MUTE 111 A' The Exchange DAMONT JONZEtched, side A, variant 1
12 MUTE 111 B' JONZ DAMONTEtched, side B, variant 1
The Exchange 12 MUTE 111 A' | DAMONT JSide A variant 3
D JONZ 12 MUTE 111 B' | DAMONTSide B variant 3
JONZ PR·P H L-12-MUTE 111 A1Side A variant 1
The Exchange PR·P K L-12-MUTE 111 B1Side B variant 1
JONZ PR·P A L-12-MUTE 111 BA1Side A runout etching variant 2
The Exchange PR-P D L-12 MUTE 111 B1Side B runout etching variant 2
12 MUTE 111 A1 4 DAMONT The ExchangeSide A runout
12 MUTE 111 B1 4 DAMONT MPO JONZSide B runout
12 Mute 111 aSide A label
12 Mute 111 bSide B label
L-12 MUTE 111 BA1 P2 JONZ PR-PEtched, side A
L-12 MUTE 111 B1 P2 The Exchange PR-P MPOEtched, side B
MUTE-111-A1✱ The Exchange JONZ MAXRunout side A
MUTE-111-B1 ✱ MPO JONZ MAXRunout side B
Mute 111aLabel side A
Mute 111bLabel side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Australasia | Mute MUTE 111First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | Belgium | Mute MUTE 46111First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1990 | Belgium | Indisc MUTE 1246111First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Belgium | Mute L MUTE 12111First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Bolivia | ToCo International LN/TIMS 71-3First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1990 | Canada | Sire 92 15580First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | Germany | Mute INT 126.935 / Mute 12 MUTE 111First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | Germany | Mute INT 126.936 / Mute L12 MUTE 111First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1990 | Germany | Mute INT 111.882 / Mute Mute 111First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | UK | Mute P12 MUTE 111First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | UK | Mute L12MUTE 111First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1990 | US | Sire 0-21558 / Reprise Records 0-21558First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | US | Warner Bros. Records 0-2155812", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1990 | Australasia | Mute 12 MUTE 111First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | UK | Mute Mute 111First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | Mute MUTEX 11112", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of Star are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in UK, US, Australasia, Belgium and more. One of them is Mute Mute 111, released May 21, 1990.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use Mute 111, 12 Mute 111, L12 Mute 111, P12 MUTE 111) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MUTE-111-A1✱ The Exchange JONZ MAX and MUTE-111-B1 ✱ JONZ MAX. 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.
