Vinyl pressings
by Marc Almond · 1990
The Desperate Hours was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1990, 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.
12 RPD 6252 BOn montage side B
12+RPD+6252+A2 ORLAKERunout side A
12+RPD+6252+B2 ORLAKERunout side B
12 R 6252 A-1-1- 1 DSide A runout
12 R 6252 B-1-1- 2 DSide B runout
R 6252 A-1-1- 1 DRunout stamped side A
R 6252 B-1- 1-1 DRunout stamped side A
R 6252ALabel side A
R 6252BLabel side B
SRC V-2-15597 F-1 1-1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ωαℓℓყRunout Side A Etched & Stamped [Specialty Records Corporation Logo]
V-2-15597 F-2 SRC 1-1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ωαℓℓყRunout Side B Etched & Stamped [Specialty Records Corporation Logo]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | Parlophone 060 20 3843 6 / Parlophone 060-20 3843 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | France | Parlophone 2038437First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | Germany | Parlophone 060-20 3949 6 / Some Bizzare 060-20 3949 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | Germany | EMI Electrola 060-20 39492/612", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1990 | Germany | Parlophone 016-203843 7 / Some Bizzare 016 2038437First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | Germany | EMI Electrola 060-20 3949 612", Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1990 | Italy | Parlophone 06 2038437First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | Italy | Parlophone 14 2038436First year12" | 12" |
| 1990 | Spain | Parlophone 052-20 3843-6First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | UK | Parlophone R 6252 / Some Bizzare R 6252First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1990 | UK | Parlophone 12R 6252 / Some Bizzare 12R 6252First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | UK | Parlophone 12RDJ 6252First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | UK | Parlophone R 6252 / Some Bizzare R 6252First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | UK | Parlophone 12R 625212", White Label, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", White Label, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1990 | US | Capitol Records V-15597 / Some Bizzare V-15597First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
17 vinyl pressings of The Desperate Hours are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in UK, US, Europe, France and more. One of them is Parlophone 12RPD 6252, released May 7, 1990.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12RPD 6252, R 6252, 12R 6252, V-15597) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12 RPD 6252 B and 12+RPD+6252+A2 ORLAKE. 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.
