Vinyl pressings
by Julian Cope · 1988
My Nation Underground was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
Sterling ILPS 9918 A-1U-1-1Runout A side, variant 1
D Sterling ILPS 9918 B-1U-1-1Runout B side, variant 1
Sterling ILPS 9918 A-1U-1-Runout A side, variant 2
D Sterling ILPS 9918 B-1U-1-Runout B side, variant 2
ST-IL-887151-A DMM SP1-2 SP-AR Sterling 0- △23031 B-33416-A-DMMRunout Side A, etched
ST-IL-887152-A DMM SP1-2 SP-aR Sterling △23031-X B-33417-A-DMMRunout Side B, etched
ST-IL-687151-AR
ST-IL-687152-AR
STIL-887151-1A G1 A2Runout A
STIL-887152-1B G1 A2Runout B
ST-IL-887151-A DMM SP1-1 SterlingRunout Side A, etched
ST-IL-887152-A DMM SP1-1 SterlingRunout Side B, etched
ST-IL-887151-SPSide A label
ST-IL-887152-SPSide B label
V 〄 R28D-2120A 111 + 1Side A, Stamped
R28D-2120B 111 +Side B, Stamped
DMX-70693Side A
DMX-70694Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australasia | Island Records ILPS 9918 / Festival Records L 38961First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Island Records ISL-1209First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | Island Records 209 384First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | Virgin VG 71478First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 9918First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 9918First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1988 | Scandinavia | Island Records ILPS 9918First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | Island Records 209 384First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | Island Records 5C 209384First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | Island Records 5C 209384First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9918First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Island Records 91025-1 / Island Records 7 91025-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Island Records 91025 / Island Records A1-91025First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Island Records 91025-1 / Island Records 7 91025-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Japan | Island Records R28D 2120 / Island Records R28D-2120First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Germany | Island Records 212 044LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Europe | Island Records ILPS 9918LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Europe | Island Records UMCLP089LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of My Nation Underground are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1988 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9918.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9918, 91025-1, 91025, R28D 2120) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Sterling ILPS 9918 A-1U-1-1 and D Sterling ILPS 9918 B-1U-1-1. 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.
