Vinyl pressings
by Mark Knopfler · 1983
Local Hero was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
34 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 18 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.
811 038 1 1Y 1 ℗ 1983 670 1412 04Side A runout stamped, variant 2
811 038 1 2Y 1 ℗ 1983 670 1314 04Side B runout stamped, variant 2
811 038 1 1Y 1 ℗ 1983 670 1111 04Side A runout stamped, variant 3
811 038 1 2Y 1 ℗ 1983 670 1113 04Side B runout stamped, variant 3
811 038 1 1Y 1 ℗1983 670 1116 04Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
811 038 1 2Y 1 ℗1983 670 1120 04Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
811 038 1 1Y 1 ℗ 1983 670 116 04Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
811 038 1 2Y 1 ℗ 1983 670 118 04Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
811 038-1.1Label Side A
811 038-1.2Label Side B
811 038 1 1Y 1 ℗1983 670 1116 04Side 1
811 038 1 2Y 1 ℗1983 670 1120 04Side 2
811 038 1 1Y 1 ℗ 1983 670 116 04Runout Side A Variation 1
811 038 1 2Y 1 ℗ 1983 670 118 04Runout Side B Variation 1
811 038 1 1Y 1 ℗ 1983 670 1412 04Runout Side A Variation 2
811 038 1 2Y 1 ℗ 1983 670 1314 04Runout Side B Variation 2
811 038 1 1Y 1 Ⓟ 1983 670 1436 04Side A runout stamped
811 038 1 2Y 1 Ⓟ 1983 670 1331 04Side B runout stamped
811 038-1.1Label Side A
811 038-1.2Label Side B
VERL 4 A // 2 ▽ 130 MASTERDISK RL VERL-4 ASide A runout, variant 1
VERL 4 B // 2 ▽ 130 MASTERDISK RL VERL-4 BSide B runout, variant 1
VERL 4 A//1 ▽ 4̶2̶ 130 1 1 1 MASTERDISK RL VERL-4-A-1Side A runout, variant 2
VERL 4 B//2▽130 1 2 5 MASTERDISK RL VERL-4-BSide B runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australasia | Vertigo 811 038-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Australasia | Vertigo 811 038-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Brazil | Vertigo 811 038-1 0 / Vertigo 81103810First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Vertigo VOG-1-3321First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Vertigo VOG-1-3321First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Vertigo 811 038-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | Vertigo 811 038-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Vertigo 811 038-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Vertigo 811 038-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Vertigo 811 038-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | Vertigo 811038-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Ireland | Vertigo VERL 4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Ireland | Vertigo VERL 4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Israel | Vertigo 811 038-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Vertigo 811 038-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Spain | Vertigo 811 038-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Vertigo ARHSLP010 / UMC ARHSLP010LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2022 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-505 / Warner Records MFSL 1-505LP, Album, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition · Numbered | LP, Album, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition · Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australasia | Vertigo 811 038-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | France | Vertigo 811 038-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Spain | Vertigo 811 038-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Spain | Vertigo 811 038-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records 1-23827 / Warner Bros. Records 9 23827-1LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records 1-23827 / Warner Bros. Records 9 23827-1LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records 9 23827-1 / Warner Bros. Records 1-23827LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
50 vinyl pressings of Local Hero are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1983 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in Netherlands, UK, US, Australasia and more. One of them is Vertigo 811 038-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 811 038-1, VERL 4, 9 23827-1, 1-23827) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 811 038 1 1Y 1 ℗ 1983 670 1412 04 and 811 038 1 2Y 1 ℗ 1983 670 1314 04. 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.
