Vinyl pressings
by Marillion · 1987
Incommunicado 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.
29 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 13 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.
MARIL 6 A-1-1-Q2-3 DSide A runout (variant 1)
MARIL 6 B-1-1-Q2-3 DSide B runout (variant 1)
MARIL 6 A-1-1-Q2-x1 DSide A runout, stamped (variant 2)
MARIL 6 B-1-1-Q2-x1 DSide B runout, stamped (variant 2)
12 MARIL 6 A - 1 - 1 - 1 -A-side stamped variant 1
12 MARIL 6 B - 2 - 1 - 1 -B-side stamped variant 1
12MARIL 6 A-1-1-2- DA-side stamped variant 2
12 MARIL 6 B-2-1-1- DDB-side stamped variant 2
12+MARIL+P+6+ASide A runout, variant 1
12+MARIL+P+6+BSide B runout, variant 1
12+MARIL+P+6+A ORLAKESide A runout, variant 2
12+MARIL+P+6+B ORLAKESide B runout, variant 2
MARIL 6 A-1-1-1-1 D DSide A runout stamped
MARIL 6 B-2-1-1-X1 D DSide B runout stamped
MARIL 6ASide A label
MARIL 6BSide B label
12 MARIL 6
MARIL 6 A-1-1-Q2-3 DSide A runout (variant 1)
MARIL 6 B-1-1-Q2-3 DSide B runout (variant 1)
MARIL 6 A-1-1-Q2-x1 DSide A runout, stamped (variant 2)
MARIL 6 B-1-1-Q2-x1 DSide B runout, stamped (variant 2)
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 | Australia | EMI ED 268First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Australia | EMI EMI 1953First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Chile | EMI Promo 107First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI 20 1816 6 / EMI 1C K 060-20 1816 6First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI 1C 006 20 1817 7 / EMI 1C 006-20 1817 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI 1C 006 20 1817 7 / EMI 1C 006-20 1817 7First yearSingle, 7", 45 RPM | Single, 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Germany | EMI 1C 006 20 1817 7First yearSingle, 7", 45 RPM, Mispress | Single, 7", 45 RPM, Mispress |
| 1987 | Ireland | EMI MARIL 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Italy | EMI 14 2018166First year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | Italy | EMI 06 2018177First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | New Zealand | EMI GOOD 182First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | New Zealand | EMI EMI 880 / EMI MARIL 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Portugal | EMI 2018166First year12", Stereo | 12", Stereo |
| 1987 | Portugal | EMI 2018177First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | South Africa | EMI EMIJ 2018177First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Not On Label (Marillion)12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
30 vinyl pressings of Incommunicado are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, Japan, Australia, Chile and more. One of them is EMI MARIL 6.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MARIL 6, 12 MARIL 6, 12 MARIL P 6, EMS-17709) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MARIL 6 A-1-1-Q2-3 D and MARIL 6 B-1-1-Q2-3 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.
