Vinyl pressings
by Massive Attack · 1991
Unfinished Sympathy 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.
25 pressings came out in 1991, the album's first year, in 5 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.
WBRT 2 A-1U-1-1 TOWN HOUSE DM.M. DRunout Etchings Side A Variant 1
WBRT 2 AA-1U-1-2 TOWN HOUSE DM.M. DRunout Etchings Side AA Variant 1
WBRT 2 A-1U-1-2 TOWN HOUSE DM.M. DRunout Etchings Side A Variant 2
WBRT 2 AA-1U-1-2 TOWN HOUSE DM.M. DRunout Etchings Side AA Variant 2
TOWN HOUSE DMM D WBRS 2 A - 1U -1-Runout, side A, variant 1
TOWN HOUSE DMM D WBRS 2 AA - 1U - 1 - 1Runout, side B, variant 1
TOWN HOUSE DMM D WBRS 2 A - 1U -1- 1Runout, side A, variant 2
TOWN HOUSE DMM D WBRS 2 AA - 1U - 1 - 1Runout, side B, variant 2
WBRR 2 A-1U-1-2 TOWN HOUSE DMM DRunout side A stamped/etched
WBRR 2 AA-1U-1-2 TOWN HOUSE DMM DRunout side AA stamped/etched
WBRR 2 A-1U-1-1 TOWN HOUSE DMM DSide A variant 1
WBRR 2 AA-1U-1-2 TOWN HOUSE DMM DSide B variant 1
WBPR 2 A-1U-1-1 Town House DMM DSide A runout
WBPR 2 AA-1U-1- Town House DMM DSide B runout
WBRT 2 A-1U-1-2A
WBRT 2 AA-1U-1-2AA
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 | Virgin 114 131 / Circa 114 131First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1991 | Europe | Virgin 614 035 / Virgin WBRT 2First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1991 | Europe | Virgin 114 035 / Wild Bunch Records WBRS 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | Europe | Virgin 114 035 / Wild Bunch Records WBRS 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | Europe | Virgin 114 035 / Wild Bunch Records WBRS 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | Europe | Virgin 614 035 / Circa 614 035First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1991 | France | Wild Bunch Records 90674 / Circa 90674First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1991 | UK | Wild Bunch Records WBRR 2 / Wild Bunch Records 614 053First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1991 | UK | Wild Bunch Records WBPR 2First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1991 | UK | Wild Bunch Records WBRS 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | UK | Wild Bunch Records WBRT 2First year12", Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1991 | UK | Wild Bunch Records WBRT 2 / Circa 614 035First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1991 | UK | Circa WBRS 2 / Wild Bunch Records WBRS 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | UK | Wild Bunch Records WBRT 2First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | UK | Wild Bunch Records WBRS 2 / Wild Bunch Records 114 035First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UK | Wild Bunch Records 060253754191112", Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | 12", Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Wild Bunch Records WBRT 212", 33 ⅓ RPM, Repress | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Repress |
| ? | UK | Wild Bunch Records WBRT 212", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
28 vinyl pressings of Unfinished Sympathy are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1991 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1991, in UK, US, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is Wild Bunch Records WBRT 2, released February 11, 1991.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBRT 2, WBRS 2, WBRR 2, WBPR 2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WBRT 2 A-1U-1-1 TOWN HOUSE DM.M. D and WBRT 2 AA-1U-1-2 TOWN HOUSE DM.M. 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.
