Vinyl pressings
by Kate Bush · 1986
The Whole Story 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.
34 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 19 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.
KBTV 1 A-2U-1-1 : TK TOWNHOUSE DRunout, Variant 1, Side A
KBTV 1 3-3U-1- :: TK TOWNHOUSE DRunout, Variant 1, Side B
KBTV 1 A-3U-1-4-x1xxTK TOWNHOUSE DRunout, Variant 2, Side A
TK D TOWNHOUSE KBTV 1 B-1U-1-411Runout, Variant 2, Side B
KBTV 1 A-3U-1-7 : TK TOWNHOUSE DSide A - stamped
KBTV 1 3-1U-1- 4 : TK TOWNHOUSE DSide B - stamped
KBTV 1 B-4U-1-1 : TK TOWNHOUSE DSide B runout
KBTV 1 A-4U-1-1 DamontSide A, Stamped ("Damont" Etched)
KBTV 1 B-1U-1-1 DamontSide B, Stamped ("Damont" Etched)
PWAS-1-17242-P-2 [Allied "ɑ" logo] B-25874-P2 MM △14814 SP 0-1Side A runout, variant 1
PWAS-1-17242-P-3 [Allied "ɑ" logo] B-25875-P3 MM MASTERED BY EMI △14814-X 1-1 SP 0-1 AL-SPSide B runout, variant 1
PWAST̶-1-17242-P-2 [Allied "ɑ" logo] B-25874-P2 M'M △14814 SP 0-1 AL-SPSide A runout, variant 2
PWAS-2-17242- P.4 [Allied "ɑ" logo] B-25875 M'M MASTERED BY EMI △14814-X 1̶-̶1̶ ̶S̶P̶ ̶0̶-̶1̶ SP01Side 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 | Argentina | EMI 101 2612011 10011First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI EMC 261201LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | EMI EMC 261201LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | EMI EMC-299First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Canada | EMI America PWAS-17242First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Canada | EMI America PWAS-571242 / Capitol Records PWAS-571242First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Canada | EMI America PWAS-517242LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 32 470-7 / EMI 1C 062-26 1201 1LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 1C 062-26 1201 1 / EMI KBTV 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 1C 062-26 1201 1 / EMI 062-26 1201 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 1C 062-26 1201 1 / EMI 062 26 1201 1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 13 902 2 / EMI 1C 062-26 1201 1LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 1C 062 26 1201 1 / EMI 1C 062-26 1201 1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 1C 062-26 1201 1 / EMI 062-26 1201 1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | EMI 26 1201 1 / EMI KBTV 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Poland | MJM Music PL 110LP, Compilation, Special Edition, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Special Edition, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | UK | Simply Vinyl SVLP 268LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited |
| 2000 | UK | Simply Vinyl SVLP 268LP, Compilation, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | EMI KBTV 1 / EMI 26 1201 1LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | UK | EMI KBTV 1LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records PWAS-17242LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress |
55 vinyl pressings of The Whole Story are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1986 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Italy, Portugal and more. One of them is EMI KBTV 1, released November 9, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KBTV 1, ST-17242, PWAS-17242, 64 2612011) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, KBTV 1 A-2U-1-1 : TK TOWNHOUSE D and KBTV 1 3-3U-1- :: TK TOWNHOUSE 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.
