Vinyl pressings
by Laurie Anderson · 1986
Language Is A Virus From Outer Space 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.
13 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 6 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.
R / S Alsdorf 928701-7-A BERunout A, stamped/etched, Benelux copies
R / S Alsdorf 928701-7-BRunout B, stamped, Benelux copies
R / S Alsdorf 928701-7-A D DRunout A, stamped/etched, GAS copies
R / S Alsdorf 928701-7-B 1Runout B, stamped/etched, GAS copies
R / S Alsdorf 920467-0-ASide One, stamped
R / S Alsdorf 920467-0-BSide Two, stamped
4Side One, etched
BE'' 3Side Two, etched
W8701 A//1∇ 420 VA-side runout
W8701 B//1∇ 420 VB-side runout
7-28677-A-SR 2Side A etched
7-28677-B-SR 2 1-1Side B etched
SRC logo, MASTERDISKStamped on both sides
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 | Warner Bros. Records 7-28701First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress |
| 1986 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 7-28701First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 928 701-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 86777First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 928 701-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 920 467-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 800First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W8701First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W8701T / Warner Bros. Records 920 467-0First year12" | 12" |
| 1986 | US | Warner Bros. Records PRO-A-2465First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-28677First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-28677First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-28677First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of Language Is A Virus From Outer Space are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Europe, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 928 701-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 928 701-7, 920 467-0, W8701, W8701T) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R / S Alsdorf 928701-7-A BE and R / S Alsdorf 928701-7-B. 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.
