Vinyl pressings
by Marc Almond · 1988
The Stars We Are 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.
13 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 10 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.
PCXS7324 A-1-1-1 DSide 1, stamped - variant 1
PCXS7324 B-1-1-1 DSide 2, stamped - variant 1
PCS 7324 A-1-1-1 DSide 1, stamped - variant 2
PCS 7324 B-1-1X1X-1 DSide 2, stamped - variant 2
C1-1-91042 G-1 1-1 W MASTERED BY CAPITOL SRCSide A runout
C1-2-91042 G-1 1-1 SRC W MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B runout
C1-1-91042 G-1 1-2 SPAR W MASTERED BY CAPITOL O ∆ 22821 B-33230-G1 SRCSide A runout
C1-2-91042 G-1 1-2 SPAR SRC ∆22821-X W MASTERED BY CAPITOL O- B-33231-G1Side B runout
7910421-A1Runout side A, variant 1
7910421-B1Runout side B, variant 1
7910421-A1 1Runout side A, variant 2
7910421-B1Runout side B, variant 2
791042 - 1 A 21 M9 360375 2Runout side A, stamped
791042 - 1 B 21 M9 360376 2Runout side B, stamped
PCS 7324 ARunout side 1, stamped
PCS 7324 BRunout side 2, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Europe | Parlophone 064-7 91042 1 / Parlophone 064 7 91042 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | Parlophone 7 91042 1 / Parlophone 7910421First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | Parlophone 7 91042 1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Greece | Parlophone 062 - 7920421 / Some Bizzare 062 - 7920421First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | Parlophone 062 7910421First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Israel | Parlophone PCS 7324-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Italy | Parlophone 64 7910421 / Some Bizzare 64 7910421First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Portugal | Parlophone 7910421First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | South Africa | Parlophone EMCJ(L)7910421First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | Hispavox 072-7910421 / Parlophone 072 79 1042 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Capitol Records C1-91042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Capitol Records C1-91042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Zimbabwe | Parlophone EMCJ (L) 7910421 / EMI EMCJ (L) 7910421First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | Parlophone PCS 7324First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Brazil | Parlophone 064 791042 1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | UK | Strike Force Entertainment QSFELP 085DLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
26 vinyl pressings of The Stars We Are are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1988 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Europe, Greece and more. One of them is Parlophone PCS 7324, released September 4, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PCS 7324, C1-91042, 064-7 91042 1, 7 91042 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PCXS7324 A-1-1-1 D and PCXS7324 B-1-1-1 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.
