Vinyl pressings
by Front 242 · 1987
Official Version 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 8 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.
RRE LP 5-A1Side A runout groove - variation 1
RRE LP 5-B1Side B runout groove - variation 1
RRE LP 5 - AI FOON 1Y OFFICIAL VERSIONSide A runout groove - variation 2
RRE LP 5 - BI OFFICIAL VERSION 1Y FOONSide B runout groove - variation 2
OFFICIAL VERSION RRE LP 5 - A1 FOON W 1Side A runout groove
RRE LP 5 - B1 OFFICIAL VERSION < > R FOONSide B runout groove
RRE LP 5-A1Side A, hand etched
RRE LP 5-B1Side B, hand etched
FOONSides A and B, hand etched
OFFICIAL VERSIONSides A and B, hand etched
OFFICIAL VERSION RRE LP 5 - A1 FO ON W 1XSide A runout groove
RRE LP 5 - B1 OFFICIAL VERSION XV2 FOONSide B runout groove
OFFICIAL VERSION RRE LP 5 - A1 FOONSide one
RRE LP 5 - B1 OFFICIAL VERSION < > ℓ FOONSide two
RRE LP 5-A1 OFFICIAL VERSION FOON >Runout side A, hand-etched
RRE LP 5-B1 OFFICIAL VERSION > DM FOONRunout side B, hand-etched; "DM" inverted
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 | Belgium | Red Rhino Europe RRE LP5First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Belgium | Red Rhino Europe RRE LP5First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Belgium | Red Rhino Europe RRELP5First yearLP, Album, White Label, Stereo | LP, Album, White Label, Stereo |
| 1987 | Belgium | Red Rhino Europe RRE LP5First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Belgium | Red Rhino Europe RRE LP5First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Belgium | Red Rhino Europe RRELP5LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Brazil | Stiletto 492.011First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Nettwerk NTL30009 / Capitol Records NTL30009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | France | Red Rhino Europe RRE LP 5First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Germany, Austria, & Switzerland | Animalized A0011 / SPV 08-1372First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany, Austria, & Switzerland | Animalized A0011First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1987 | Scandinavia | MNW RRE LP 5 / Red Rhino Europe RRE LP 5First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Red Rhino Europe RRELP 5 / Red Rhino Europe Rrelp 5First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Red Rhino Europe RRELP 5 / Red Rhino Europe Rrelp 5First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Wax Trax! Records WAX 026First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Belgium | Red Rhino Europe RRE LP5 / Pias RRE LP5LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of Official Version are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1987 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in Belgium, UK, US, Brazil and more. One of them is Red Rhino Europe RRE LP5.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RRE LP5, RRELP5, RRELP 5, WAX 026) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RRE LP 5-A1 and RRE LP 5-B1. 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.
