Vinyl pressings
by It Bites · 1986
The Big Lad In The Windmill 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.
12 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 10 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.
V2378 A-1U-1- D TOWNHOUSESide A runout, stamped, variant 1
V2378 B-1U-1-7 DSide B runout, stamped, variant 1
V 2378 A-1U-1- 3 - 2 D TOWNHOUSESide A runout, stamped / etched, variant 2
V 2378 B-1U-1-11 DSide B runout, stamped, variant 2
MASTERDISK DMM GHS-24116A SH3 B-24545-SH3 ∆13482 1-1Side A runout etched
MASTERDISK DMM GHS-24116-B SH-2 B-24546-SH2 ∆13482-X 1-1Side B runout etched
E A S TSide B embossed around center hole
GHS-24116A SH3 DMM B-24545-SH3 ∆13482 SP 0-1 1̶̷̲̅-̶̷̲̅2̶̷̲̅ AL-SP MASTERDISK DMMSide A runout etched
GHS- 24116-B SH-2 DMM B 24546 -SH2 ∆13482-X SP 0-1 1̶̷̲̅-̶̷̲̅2̶̷̲̅ MASTERDISK DMM AL-SPSide B runout etched
VL 2392-A TLC-T (CR)Runout Side A
VL 2392-B TLC-T (CR)Runout Side B
DM 207826 A-1/7-86Side A, machine etched
DM 207826 B-1/7-86Side B, machine etched
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 | Australia | Virgin V2378First yearLP | LP |
| 1986 | Canada | Virgin VL 2392First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Virgin 207 826-630 / Virgin 207 826First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | Virgin VG 50214First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Italy | Virgin Dischi S.R.L. V2378First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | Virgin 28VB-1127First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Virgin V2378First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Spain | Virgin I-207 826First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Virgin V2378First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24116 / Virgin GHS 24116First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24116 / Virgin GHS 24116First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | Virgin 28VB-1127First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | South Africa | Virgin VNC 5091 / Virgin V 2378LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Virgin OVED 295LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
14 vinyl pressings of The Big Lad In The Windmill are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1986 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Virgin V2378.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V2378, GHS 24116, VL 2392, 207 826-630) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V2378 A-1U-1- D TOWNHOUSE and V2378 B-1U-1-7 D. 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.
