Vinyl pressings
by Mike & The Mechanics · 1988
The Living Years was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 8 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.
U7717-A-1A-side runout etched, variant 1
U7717-B-1B-side runout etched, variant 1
U7717-A-1 MT. 1. DAMONTA-side runout etched, variant 2
U7717-B-1 MT. 1. DAMONTB-side runout etched, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 257717-7-A 44Variant 1 A-side runout, stamped, '44' is etched
R/S Alsdorf 257717-7-B XXVariant 1 B-side runout, stamped, 'XX' is etched
R/S Alsdorf 257717-7-A XVariant 2 A-side runout, stamped, 'X' is etched
R/S Alsdorf 257717-7-B XXVariant 2 B-side runout, stamped, 'XX' is etched
ARUN U7717-ACA-side runout etched (variant 1
U7717-B2B-side runout etched (variant 1
U7717-A3. PAG Phil ADRENALIN-A-side runout, etched
U7717-B3. PAG ADRENALIN-B-side runout, etched
U7717-A-1. MT.1 DAMONT KSide A runout
U 7717-B-1 MT.1 DAMONT RSide B runout
U 7717 ASide A label
U 7717BSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | WEA 7-257717First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Australia | WEA 7-257717First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Australia & New Zealand | WEA 0-257710First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | Atlantic 78 89647First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | Atlantic 78 89647First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Europe | WEA 257 710-0First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | WEA 257 717-7 / WEA U7717First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | WEA 257 717-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | WEA 1.031 / WEA PROMO 1.031First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | WEA U 7717 / WEA 257717-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | WEA U7717 / WEA U 7717First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1988 | UK | WEA U 7717 / WEA 257717-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | WEA U 7717 / WEA 257717-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1988 | UK | WEA U 7717 / WEA 257717-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1988 | UK | WEA U 7717 / WEA 257717-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
27 vinyl pressings of The Living Years are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1988 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Australia, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is WEA U 7717.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use U 7717, U7717, 257717-7, 7-88964) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, U7717-A-1 and U7717-B-1. 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.
