Vinyl pressings
by Howard Shore · 1986
The Fly was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
STV 81289-A4 KM 14048-A4 + SM +Side A runout, variant 1
STV 81289-B4 KM 14048 B4 + SM +Side B runout, variant 1
STV 81289-A4 KM14048-A4 + JS KM +Side A runout, variant 2
STV 81829 B KM 14048.B2 + JS KM + 28Side B runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Brazil | Varèse Sarabande 320008 / SBK Records 320008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Spain | Vinilo VS 1027First yearLP | LP |
| 1986 | UK | That's Entertainment Records TER 1120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Varèse Sarabande STV 81289First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Germany | Colosseum CST 8021LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | Victor VIP-28151LP | LP |
| 1987 | Japan | Victor VIP-28151LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | US | Varèse Sarabande 302 066 688 5LP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2017 | US | Varèse Sarabande 302 066 688 7LP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | US | Varèse Sarabande 302 066 688 5 / Varèse Sarabande VSD00111LP · Colored vinyl | LP · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | UK | Varèse Sarabande VSD00359LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
11 vinyl pressings of The Fly are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1986 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Brazil, Spain. One of them is Varèse Sarabande STV 81289.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STV 81289, TER 1120, 320008, VS 1027) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STV 81289-A4 KM 14048-A4 + SM + and STV 81289-B4 KM 14048 B4 + SM +. 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.
