Vinyl pressings
by Massive Attack · 1991
Blue Lines was first pressed on vinyl in 1991. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1991, the album's first year, in 4 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.
103 DM 211316 A-1 C IIRunout, side A, variant 1
103 DM 211316 B-1 C IIRunout, side B, variant 1
103 DM 211316 A-1 CRunout, side A, variant 2
103 DM 211316 B-1 CRunout, side B, variant 2
WBR LP 1 A-1U-1-2Runout: A-Side, Variant 1
WBR LP 1 B-1U-1-1-3Runout: B-Side, Variant 1
WBR LP 1 A-1U-1-1Runout: A-Side, Variant 2
WBR LP 1 B-1U-1-1Runout: B-Side, Variant 2
WBRLP 1 A-02-01-1Runout: A-Side
WBRLP 1 B-02-01-1Runout: B-Side
WBRLP 1-AVinyl Label: A-Side
WBRLP 1-BVinyl Label: B-Side
WBRLP 1 A-02-01- 7862281 1A1Runout A-side
WBRLP 1 B-02-01- 7862281 1B1Runout B-side
WBRLP 1-ALabel A-side
WBRLP 1-BLabel B-side
WBR LP 1 A-1J-1-2Runout: A-Side, Variant 1
WBR LP 1 B-1U-1-1-3Runout: B-Side, Variant 1
WBR LP 1 A-1J-1-1Runout: A-Side, Variant 2
WBR LP 1 B-1U-1-1Runout: B-Side, Variant 2
WBR LP 1 A-1J-1-2Runout: A-Side
WBR LP 1 B-1U-1-1-3Runout: B-Side
WBRLP 1-AVinyl Label: A-Side
WBRLP 1-BVinyl Label: B-Side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Europe | Wild Bunch Records WBRLP 1 / Circa WBRLP 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Europe | Wild Bunch Records WBRLP 1 / Circa WBRLP 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Europe | Wild Bunch Records WBRLP 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | Europe | Wild Bunch Records WBRLP 1 / Circa WBRLP 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Europe | Wild Bunch Records WBRLP 1 / Circa WBRLP 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Greece | Virgin VG 50550 / Circa VG 50550First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | UK | Wild Bunch Records WBRLP1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | Europe | Circa WBRLP 1 / Virgin 211 316First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | Italy | Circa WBRLP 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | UK | Wild Bunch Records WBRLX 1 / Wild Bunch Records WBRLP 1First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1991 | UK | Wild Bunch Records WBRLP 1 / Circa WBRLP 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | UK | Wild Bunch Records WBRLP 1 / Wild Bunch Records 211 316First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | France | Wild Bunch Records WBRLP 1 / Circa WBRLP 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2012 | Europe | Virgin 2320331 / Virgin 232034112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Reissue, Remastered, White Label | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Reissue, Remastered, White Label |
| 2012 | Europe | Wild Bunch Records WBRCDX1 / Virgin 5099997947516Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, DVD, DVD-Video, NTSC, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, DVD, DVD-Video, NTSC, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| 2012 | Japan | Virgin TOCP-71470 / Wild Bunch Records WBRCDX112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, DVD, DVD-Video, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, DVD, DVD-Video, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 2015 | Europe | Circa WBRLP 1 / Virgin 211 316LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2016 | Europe | Wild Bunch Records 5700960 / Virgin 5700960LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2019 | Ireland | Virgin 5700960 / Circa 5700960LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Japan | Virgin 570-960 / Wild Bunch Records 5700960LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Virgin 211 316LP, Album, Misprint, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Misprint, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | Wild Bunch Records WBRLP 1 / Circa WBRLP 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
22 vinyl pressings of Blue Lines are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1991 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1991, in Europe, UK, Italy, Greece. One of them is Circa WBRLP 1, released April 8, 1991.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBRLP 1, WBRLX 1, WBRLP1, VG 50550) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 103 DM 211316 A-1 C II and 103 DM 211316 B-1 C II. 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.
