Vinyl pressings
by Level 42 · 1988
Staring At The Sun 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.
24 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
POLH 50 A-1-1-1Side A (stamped), Variant 1
TOWNHOUSE DMMSide A (etched), Variant 1
POLH 50 B-1-1-1Side B (stamped), Variant 1
TOWNHOUSE DMMSide B (etched), Variant 1
422-837-247-1A-SP 1-1 FW ¢ SRCA runout
422-837-247-1B-SP FW SRCB runout
422•837•247•1•A•SP 1-1 fw ¢ [SRC logo]Runout, side A / etched [except SRC logo]
422•837•247•1•B•SP 1-1 fw [SRC logo]Runout, side A / etched [except SRC logo]
POLH 50 A-1-1-4Side A (stamped)
TOWNHOUSE D MMSide A (etched)
POLH 50 B-1-1-1Side B (stamped)
TOWNHOUSE DMMSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | Polydor 837 247-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Australasia | Polydor 837 247-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Brazil | Polydor 837 247-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Polydor 837 247-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Polydor DJP 305First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Colombia | Polydor 837 247-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Polydor 837 247-1 / Polydor POLH 50LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1988 | Greece | Polydor 837 247-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | Polydor 837 247-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Israel | Polydor 837 247-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Italy | Polydor 837 247 / Polydor POLH 50First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Mexico | Polydor LPR 16649 / Polydor 837 247-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Portugal | Polydor 837 247-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | South Korea | Polydor 837 247-1 / Sung Eum Limited SEL-RG 1137First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | Polydor 837 247-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
27 vinyl pressings of Staring At The Sun are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1988 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, UK & Europe, Japan and more. One of them is Polydor POLH 50.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLH 50, 422 837 247-1, 837 247-1, 28MM 0663) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLH 50 A-1-1-1 and 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.
