Vinyl pressings
by Michael Cretu · 1985
Die Chinesische Mauer was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 10 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.
DM206884 A-3/85 S HSide A, Variant 1
DM 206884 B-3/85 S H IISide B, Variant 1
DM 206884 A-2/85 S HSide A, Variant 2
DM 206884 B-3/85 S H IISide B, Variant 2
V2334 A-2U-1-1 (+ a signature saying ) "TOWNHOUSE" ( + a horisontal ) " :)"Side A
DM 207161 A - 1 / 85 S II IIRunout Side A, Variant 1
DM 207161 B - 2 / 85 S II IIRunout Side B, Variant 1
DM 207161 A-1/85 S II IIIRunout Side A, Variant 2
DM 207161 B-2/85 S II IIRunout Side B, Variant 2
DM 207161 A - 1 / 85 S IIRunout, side A, variant 1
DM 207161 B - 1 / 85 S IIRunout, side B, variant 1
DM 207161 A - 1 / 85 S II IIRunout, side A, variant 2
DM 207161 B - 2 / 85 S II IIRunout, side B, variant 2
VG 5 0124 AMachine stamped
VG 5 0124 BMachine stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 207 161 / Virgin 207 161-620First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 207 332 / Virgin 207 332-620LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 207 161 / Virgin 207 161-620First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Virgin 123541First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | Virgin 206 884 / Virgin 206 884-620First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | Virgin 207 161LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Greece | Virgin 062-VG 50124First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Israel | Virgin 207 332-620First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Italy | Virgin V 2354First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Portugal | Virgin 635505First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Spain | Virgin T-207.332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | Virgin V 2354First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton LSVIRG 11130 / Virgin V 2354First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Argentina | Mercury 826744-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Virgin 207 704 / Virgin 207 704-620LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Die Chinesische Mauer are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Germany, UK, Europe, France and more. One of them is Virgin 206 884.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 206 884, V 2354, 207 161, 123541) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DM206884 A-3/85 S H and DM 206884 B-3/85 S H 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.
