Vinyl pressings
by Magazine · 1982
After The Fact was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 7 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.
VM-1-A2 TOWN HOUSERunout side A, variant 1
VM-1-B2 TOWN HOUSERunout side B, variant 1
VM-1-A1 TOWN HOUSERunout side A, variant 2
VM-1-B1 VM-1-B1 TOWN HOUSERunout side B, variant 2
SP-070030-A- ES - 2 Ⅱ EMWSide A runout - etched
SP-070030- B- ES - 1 EMWSide B runout - etched
(SP-070030-A)On label
(SP-070030-B)On label
SP-070030-A-MON2 MR 25624Side A runout etched
SP-070030-B-MON-1 MR-△-25624-XSide B runout etched
SP-070030-AOn label
SP-070030-BOn label
SP-070030-A-RCA-2Side A runout - etched
SP-070030-B-RCA-1Side B runout - etched
(SP-070030-A)On label
(SP-070030-B)On label
VM-1-A2 TOWN HOUSE DRunout side A, etched. TOWN HOUSE is stamped
VM-1-B2 TOWN HOUSE Λ VM-1-B1Runout side B, etched. TOWN HOUSE is stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | France | Virgin 204949First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Germany | Virgin VM 1 / Virgin 802-518-320First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1982 | Italy | Virgin VM 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Virgin VM 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Portugal | Edisom 607405First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | UK | Virgin VM1 / Virgin VM 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | US | I.R.S. Records SP70030 / I.R.S. Records SP-70030First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | US | I.R.S. Records SP70030 / I.R.S. Records SP-70030First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | I.R.S. Records SP70030 / I.R.S. Records SP-70030First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Virgin VM 1LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Australia | Virgin VM 1LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of After The Fact are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, France, Germany and more. One of them is Virgin VM1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VM1, SP70030, 204949, VM 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VM-1-A2 TOWN HOUSE and VM-1-B2 TOWN HOUSE. 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.
