Vinyl pressings
by Marillion · 1987
Clutching At Straws was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
38 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 21 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.
EMDP+1002+A B ORLAKESide A runout, variant 1
EMDP+1002+B ORLAKESide B runout, variant 1
EMPD+1002+A ORLAKESide A runout, variant 2
EMPD+1002+B B ORLAKESide B runout, variant 2
EMD 1002 A-1-1- 6 A1 DSide A Stamped
MICK SAID HE'LL SEE YOU AT WEMBLEY NOV 3ᴿᴰSide A Etched
EMD 1002 B-1-1-1-2 DDSide B Stamped
DAVE LIKES EM' TOOSide B Etched
MICK SAID HE'LL SEE YOU AT WEMBLEY NOV 3ᴿᴰSide A runout, etched, all variants
DAVE LIKES EM' TOOSide B runout, etched, all variants
EMD 1002 A-1-1- 6 A1 DSide A runout, stamped, variant 1
EMD 1002 B-1-1-1-2 DDSide B runout, stamped, variant 1
DAVE LIKES EM' TOOSide B Etched
EMD 1002 A-3-1-1 DDSide A Stamped
EMD 1002 B-1-1-3 DSide B Stamped
ST-1-12539 F-2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-27702-F2 Δ16775 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally 1-1 SPO1 AL-SPSide A runout
ST-2-12539 F-2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-27703-F2 Δ16775-X MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally 1-1 SPO-1 AL-SPSide B runout
ST-1-12539Side A label
ST-2-12539Side B label
ST-1-12539 F-2 [Allied logo] B-27702-F2 Δ16775 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally 1-1Side A runout
ST-2-12539 F-2 [Allied logo] B-27703-F2 Δ16775-X MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally 1-1Side B runout
ST-1-12539Side A label
ST-2-12539Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | EMI 10026First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Argentina | EMI 10026First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Argentina | EMI 10026LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Australasia | EMI EMC.240785 / EMI EMC 240785First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | EMI 31C 068 240785First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Colombia | EMI 111123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI 1C 064 24 07851 / EMI 1C 064-24 0785 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI 064 24 0785 1 / EMI 2407851First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI 14 672 0LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI 24 0785 1 / EMI 064 24 0785 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI 038 7 46866 1 / EMI 038-74 6866 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI 1C 064 2407851 / EMI 1C 064-24 0785 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI 2407851 / EMI 24 0785 1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI EMD P 1002First year12", 45 RPM, Mispress, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, Mispress, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1987 | Germany | EMI 32 576-1 / EMI 1C 064-24 0785 1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Russia | Santa Records П94 RAT 30780LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UK | Parlophone VEMD 1002 / Parlophone 825646413492LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2013 | UK | Parlophone 825646413492 / Parlophone VEMD 1002LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 2018 | Europe | Parlophone 0190295605179LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 2019 | Europe | Parlophone 0190295605223LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | EMI EMD 1002LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | EMI EMD 1002LP, Album | LP, Album |
51 vinyl pressings of Clutching At Straws are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1987 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is EMI EMD P 1002, released June 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMD P 1002, EMD 1002, ST-12539, 1C 064 2407851) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMDP+1002+A B ORLAKE and EMDP+1002+B 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.
