Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Hates Jazz · 1987
I Don't Want To Be A Hero 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.
26 pressings came out in 1987, 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.
VST 1000 AB̶-̶2̶2̶0̶-̶X̶-2U-1-1- HELLO CATHYRunout, A-side, stamped Variant 1
VST 1000 B-2U-1-1- TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout, B-side, stamped Variant 1
VST 1000 AB̶-̶2̶2̶0̶-̶X̶-2U-1-1-2 DD HELLO SiPi HELLO CATHYRunout, A-side, stamped Variant 2
VST 1000 B-2U-1-1-5 DD TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout, B-side, stamped Variant 2
VS 1000 A-1U-1-3-2R TOWNHOUSE DMM HELLO SIPI DRunout stamped and etched side A
VS 1000 B-1U-1-1-4 HELLO CATHY TOWNHOUSE DMM DDRunout stamped and etched side B
VS 1000 A-1U-1-3-2R DRunout stamped side A
TOWNHOUSE DMM HELLO SIPIRunout etched side A
VST 1000 A-2U-1-1-Runout, A-side, stamped
B̶ ̶-̶ ̶2̶2̶0̶ ̶-̶ ̶X̶Runout, A-side, stamped, struck through
HELLO SIPI TOWNHOUSE DMM HELLO CATHYRunout, A-side, etched
VST 1000 B-2U-1-1-10 DDRunout, B-side, stamped
VS 1000 A-1U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSE DMM HELLO SIPI D DA side runout, stamped/etched
VS 1000 B-1U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSE DMM HELLO CATHY D DB side runout, stamped/etched
VSY+1000+A SRT Hello SiPIRunout Side A
VSY+1000+B SRTRunout Side B
VSY 1000ALabel Side A
VSY 1000BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | Virgin VSX1439 / Virgin VSX 1439First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Canada | Virgin VS1450First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Virgin 609 350 / Virgin 609 350-213First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Europe | Virgin 109 350 / Virgin 109 350-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | Virgin 90353First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | Virgin 80331First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | Virgin 90353First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Greece | Virgin VG 2096 Z / Virgin VG 2096ZFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Italy | Virgin VIN 45240First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Italy | Virgin VINX 187First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Italy | Virgin VIN 45240First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Japan | Virgin VJS-12001First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Japan | Virgin VJS-12001First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Spain | Virgin F-609 350First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | UK | Virgin VST 1000-DJFirst year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
37 vinyl pressings of I Don't Want To Be A Hero are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, Ireland, Australia, Japan and more. One of them is Virgin VST1000, released August 17, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VST1000, VS 1000, VSP 1000, VSY 1000) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VST 1000 AB̶-̶2̶2̶0̶-̶X̶-2U-1-1- HELLO CATHY and VST 1000 B-2U-1-1- TOWNHOUSE DMM. 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.
