Vinyl pressings
by Midge Ure · 1985
If I Was 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.
36 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 16 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.
UREX 1 A//1▽420 T 11 1 1 PouNDA TA1PEVariant 1 A-side runout
UREX 1 B//1▽420 T 11 5Variant 1 B-side runout
UREX 1 A//2▽420 T 11 5 POUNDA TA1PEVariant 2 side A runout
UREX 1 X̶̷X̶̷X̶̷ B//2▽420 T 11 4Variant 2 side B runout
URE-1-A1 MT.A-Side Runout Etching
URE-1-B1 MT.B-Side Runout Etching
URE 1-AA-Side Label
URE 1-BB-Side Label
URE 1 A // 1 ▽ 420 H TOWNHOUSERun-out, A-side, stamped/etched, variant 1
URE 1 B // 2 ▽ 420 HRun-out, B-side stamped, variant 1
URE 1 A // 1 ▽ 420 H TOWNHOUSERun-out, A-side, stamped/etched, variant 2
URE 1 B // 1 ▽ 420 H TOWNHOUSERun-out, B-side stamped/etched, variant 2
URE-1-A1 MTA-side runout etched
URE-1-B1 MTB-side runout etched
URE 1-AA-side label
URE 1-BB-side label
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 | Australia & New Zealand | Chrysalis X 14240 / Chrysalis URE X1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1985 | Canada | Chrysalis 42905First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Chrysalis 42905First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Ecuador | RCA 123-1095First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Europe | Chrysalis 601 948First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Chrysalis 107 667First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Chrysalis 107 667First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | France | Chrysalis 884 491-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Ireland | Chrysalis URE 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Italy | Chrysalis CHS 387First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | Chrysalis CHS 387First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Italy | Chrysalis CHSC 388First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Chrysalis K 9810First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Portugal | Chrysalis 532215First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | South Africa | Chrysalis PD 2423First year7", Single | 7", Single |
38 vinyl pressings of If I Was are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Australia, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is Chrysalis URE X1, released September 13, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use URE X1, URE 1, URE1, VS4 42905) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, UREX 1 A//1▽420 T 11 1 1 PouNDA TA1PE and UREX 1 B//1▽420 T 11 5. 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.
