Vinyl pressings
by Joy Division · 1980
Love Will Tear Us Apart was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, the album's first year, in 2 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.
FAC 23 A1 ‒ AK DON'T DISILLUSION MESide A, etched var. 1
FAC 23 B-1 2 AB I'VE ONLY GOT RECORD SHOPS LEFTSide B, etched var. 1
FAC 23 A1 DON’T DISILLUSION ME 7Side A, etched var. 2
FAC 23 B-1 I'VE ONLY GOT RECORD SHOPS LEFT 8Side B, etched var. 2
FAC 23 A1 AR DON'T DISILLUSION MESide A runout, variant 1
FAC 23 B-1 BF I'VE ONLY GOT RECORD SHOPS LEFTSide B runout, variant 1
FAC 23 A1 I AR DON'T DISILLUSION MESide A runout, variant 2
FAC 23 B-1 2 AW I'VE ONLY GOT RECORD SHOPS LEFTSide B runout, variant 2
FAC 23 A1 DON'T DISILLUSION MESide A, etched
FAC 23 B1 I'VE ONLY GOT RECORD SHOPS LEFTSide B, etched
FAC 23 A1 DON'T DISILLUSION ME 4 ARunout side A, var. 1
FAC 23 B-1 I'VE ONLY GET RECORD SHOPS LEFT 4 ARunout side B, var. 1
FAC 23 A1 DON'T DISILLUSION ME 4 ARunout side A, var. 2
FAC 23 B-1 I'VE ONLY GET RECORD SHOPS LEFT 4 DRunout side B, var. 2
FAC 23 A1 I DON'T DISILLUSION MESide A, etched
FAC 23 B-1 I I'VE ONLY GOT RECORD SHOPS LEFTSide B, etched
FAC 23 A1 IN DON'T DISILLUSION MERunout side A, etched
FAC 23 B-1 2S I'VE ONLY GOT RECORD SHOPS LEFTRunout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Ireland | Factory FAC∙XXIII∙XII / Factory FAC 23-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Factory FAC 23First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Factory FAC 23First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1980 | UK | Factory FAC 23-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1980 | UK | Factory FAC 23First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Factory FAC∙XXIII∙XII / Factory FAC 23-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1980 | UK | Factory FAC 23First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Factory FAC 23First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Factory FAC 23First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Factory FAC 23First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Factory FAC 23First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Factory FAC 23First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Factory FAC 23First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Factory FAC∙XXIII∙XII / Factory FAC 23-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | GAP Records SFA-406 / Factory FAC 237", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Australia | Festival Records X 14828 / Factory FAC·XXIII·XII12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Repress | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Repress |
| 1995 | UK | London Records YOJXDJ112", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1995 | UK | London Records YOJX 112", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1995 | UK & Europe | London Records YOJX 1 / London Records 850027.112", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | US | Factory FAC·XXIII·XII7", Limited Edition, Numbered, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Numbered, Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 7", Limited Edition, Numbered, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Numbered, Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 2005 | US | Factory FAC·XXIII·XII7", Numbered, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Numbered, Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 7", Numbered, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Numbered, Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 2007 | US | Factory FAC XXIII7", Unofficial Release, Single · Unofficial | 7", Unofficial Release, Single · Unofficial |
| 2007 | US | Factory FAC XXIII7", Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 7", Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2007 | US | Factory FAC XXIII7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2007 | US | Factory FAC XXIII7", Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2007 | US | Factory FAC XXIII7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2007 | US | Factory FAC XXIII7", Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 7", Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2007 | UK & Europe | London Records FAC23 / London Records FAC 237", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 2008 | US | Factory FAC-XXIII-XII / Factory FAC 23-1212", Unofficial Release, 45 RPM · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 12", Unofficial Release, 45 RPM · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2008 | US | Factory FAC-XXIII-XII / Factory FAC 23-1212", Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2009 | US | Factory FAC-XXIII-XII / Factory FAC 23-1212", Unofficial Release, 45 RPM · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 12", Unofficial Release, 45 RPM · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | Factory FAC•XXIII•XII / Factory FAC23-1212", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2011 | Europe | Vinyl Lovers VL90128812", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2013 | Unknown | Stiletto FAC•XXIII•XII / Stiletto FACT 23-1212", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2013 | Unknown | Stiletto FAC•XXIII•XII / Stiletto FACT 23-1212", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2013 | UK | Not On Label (Joy Division) FLASH00112", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2014 | Unknown | Stiletto FAC•XXIII•XII / Stiletto FACT 23-1212", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2014 | Unknown | Stiletto FAC•XXIII•XII / Stiletto FACT 23-1212", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2014 | US | Factory FAC-XXIII-XII / Factory FAC 23-1212", 45 RPM, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2015 | Unknown | Stiletto FAC•XXIII•XII / Stiletto FACT 23-1212", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2016 | US | Factory FAC-XXIII-XII / Factory FAC 23-1212", 45 RPM, Repress, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Repress, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Factory FAC 23-1212", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2020 | Europe | Factory FAC·XXIII·XII12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Factory FAC 23-12 / Factory FAC•XXIII•XII12", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Italy | Factory FAC 23-12 / Factory FAC·XXIII·XII12", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 12", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | Factory FAC 23-12 / Factory FAC•XXIII•XII12", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 12", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | Poland | K3 RecordsFlexi-disc, Single Sided, Unofficial Release, Limited Edition, Numbered · Unofficial, Limited, Numbered | Flexi-disc, Single Sided, Unofficial Release, Limited Edition, Numbered · Unofficial, Limited, Numbered |
| ? | Poland | K3 RecordsFlexi-disc, Single Sided, Unofficial Release, Limited Edition, Test Pressing · Unofficial, Test pressing, Limited | Flexi-disc, Single Sided, Unofficial Release, Limited Edition, Test Pressing · Unofficial, Test pressing, Limited |
| ? | Russia | буд кон Д60 5645Flexi-disc, 5½", Single Sided, 45 RPM, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | Flexi-disc, 5½", Single Sided, 45 RPM, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Russia | буд кон Д60 5645Flexi-disc, 5½", Single Sided, 45 RPM, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono | Flexi-disc, 5½", Single Sided, 45 RPM, Mono, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono |
| ? | Russia | буд кон Д60 3431Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Mono, Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Mono, Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Russia | буд кон Д60 3431Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Mono, Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Mono, Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Russia | буд кон Д60 3431Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Mono, Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Mono, Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Russia | буд кон Д60 3431Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Mono, Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Mono, Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Russia | буд кон Д60 3431Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Mono, Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Mono, Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Spain | Edigsa 19P00957", Promo, Unofficial Release, 45 RPM · Unofficial, Promo | 7", Promo, Unofficial Release, 45 RPM · Unofficial, Promo |
| ? | UK | Factory FAC 237", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Factory FAC 237", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
107 vinyl pressings of Love Will Tear Us Apart are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1980 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Ireland. One of them is Factory FAC 23, released June 27, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FAC 23, FAC∙XXIII∙XII, FAC 23-12) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FAC 23 A1 ‒ AK DON'T DISILLUSION ME and FAC 23 B-1 2 AB I'VE ONLY GOT RECORD SHOPS LEFT. 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.
