Vinyl pressings
by Erasure · 1987
The Two Ring Circus was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 9 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.
L - STUMM - 35 - A1 PAG JONZRunout, A-side, etched, variant 1
L - STUMM - 35 - B1 PAGRunout, B-side, etched, variant 1
L - STUMM - 35 - C1 PAG JONZRunout, C-side, etched, variant 1
L - STUMM - 35 - D2 PAG THE EXCHANGERunout, D-side, etched, variant 1
L-STUMM-35-A1- PAG M JONZRunout side A
L-STUMM-35-B1 PAG THE EXCHANGE JRunout side B
L-STUMM-35-C1- PAG D JONZRunout side C
L-STUMM-35 D.2 PAG THE EXCHANGE HRunout side D
Stump 35 - 1Side A runout
Stump35 - 2Side B runout
Stump 35 - 3Side C runout
Stump 35 - 4Side D runout
L-STUMM-35-A1 PAG JONZ BSide A
L-STUMM-35-B1 PAG BSide B
L-STUMM-35-C1- PAG JONZ ASide C
L-STUMM-35D2 PAG THE EXCHANGE ASide D
1-25667-A-SR1Side A
1-25667-B-SR1Side B
1-25667-C-SR1Side C
1-25667-D-SR1Side D
1-25667-A-SH1 α B-29530-SH1 △18689 1-1Side A runout, variant 1
1-25667-B-SH1 α B-29531-SH1 △18689-X 1-1Side B runout, variant 1
1-25667-C-SH2 α B-29532-SH2 △18690 1-1Side C runout, variant 1
1-25667-D-SH3 α B-29533-SH3 △18690-X 1-1Side D runout, variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | Sire 92 56671 / Mute 92 56671First yearLP, 45 RPM, Album | LP, 45 RPM, Album |
| 1987 | France | Virgin 80344First year12", Album | 12", Album |
| 1987 | Germany | Mute INT 192.622 / Mute L Stumm 35First year12", 45 RPM, Album | 12", 45 RPM, Album |
| 1987 | Scandinavia | Mute L STUMM 35 / Mute L stumm 35First year12", 45 RPM, Album | 12", 45 RPM, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Mute L STUMM 35 / Mute LSTUMM 35First year12", 45 RPM, Album, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | Mute Stump 35First year12", 45 RPM, Album, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Album, White Label |
| 1987 | UK | Mute LSTUMM 3512", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Belgium | Indisc L STUMM 46135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | Mute 675.9011First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Germany | Mute INT 192.622 / Mute L Stumm 35First year12", 45 RPM, Album | 12", 45 RPM, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | Mute Stump 35First year12", 45 RPM, Album | 12", 45 RPM, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Mute L stumm 35 / Mute L. STUMM 35First year12", 45 RPM, Album | 12", 45 RPM, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Mute L stumm 35 / Mute L. STUMM 3512", 45 RPM, Album, Stereo, 12", Single, Reissue, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Stereo, 12", Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Mute L stumm 35 / Mute L. STUMM 35First year12", 45 RPM, Album | 12", 45 RPM, Album |
| 1987 | US | Sire 1-25667 / Sire 9 25667-1First year12", 45 RPM, Album | 12", 45 RPM, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Argentina | POP Show D 25.221LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Argentina | POP Show D 25.222LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | UK | Mute LRSTUMM35 / BMG LRSTUMM3512", 45 RPM, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Mute INT 192.622 / Mute L Stumm 3512", 45 RPM, Album, Repress, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Repress, Stereo |
22 vinyl pressings of The Two Ring Circus are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1987 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Belgium, Brazil and more. One of them is Mute L stumm 35, released November 16, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use L stumm 35, Stump 35, L STUMM 35, 1-25667) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, L - STUMM - 35 - A1 PAG JONZ and L - STUMM - 35 - B1 PAG. 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.
