Vinyl pressings
by Mike Oldfield · 1983
Shadow On The Wall was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 9 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.
600977 A-1/83 S I Made in GermanyRunout side A, stamped
600977 B-1/83 S I Ⅱ Made in GermanyRunout side B, stamped, "Ⅱ" etched
S 600 977 ALabel side A
S 600 977 BLabel side B
600977 A-1/83 S I Made in GermanyRunout side A, variant 1
600977 B-1/83 S I Made in GermanyRunout side B, variant 1
600977 A-1/83 S I Made in GermanyRunout side A, variant 2
600977 B-1/83 S IⅡMade in GermanyRunout side B, variant 2
DS 105780 A-1/83 S I Made in GermanyRunout A, variant 1
DS 105780 B-2/83S I Made in GermanyRunout B, variant 1
DS 105780 A-1/83 S I III Made in GermanyRunout A, variant 2
DS 105780 B-2/83S I Made in GermanyRunout B, variant 2
105780 A-1/83 S I Made in GermanyRunout A, variant 1
105780 B-1/83 S I Made in GermanyRunout B, variant 1
DS 105780 A-1/83 S I Made in GermanyRunout A, variant 2
DS 105780 B-1/83 S I Made in GermanyRunout B, variant 2
VS 62512 A - 2U - 1 - 1 - X1 Timtom-cbsRunout side A, variant 1
VS 62512 B - 2U - 1 - 1 - X1 TYRunout side B, variant 1
VS 62512 A - 1U-1-1- 1 timtom-cbsRunout side A, variant 2
VS 62512 B - 2U-1- 1 - X1 TYRunout side B, variant 2
VS 625 A-1 U-1-1-1 2 timtom-cbsRunout side A, variant 1
VS 625 B-1 U-1-1-1 4 TYRunout side B, variant 1
VS 625 A-2 U-1-1-3 timtom-cbsRunout side A, variant 2
VS 625 B-2 U-1-1-1 TYRunout side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS 625First year7" | 7" |
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS 625First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Europe | Virgin 105 780 / Virgin 105 780-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Virgin 105 780 / Virgin 105 780-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | Virgin VS 625First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Italy | Virgin VIN 45085First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | Italy | Virgin VINX 23First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 625First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Portugal | Virgin 517505First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Virgin VS 625 / Virgin VS-625First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Virgin VS 625 / Virgin VS-625First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Spain | Virgin B-105-606First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Spain | Virgin B-105606First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Spain | Virgin F-600 840First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Virgin VS 625First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
18 vinyl pressings of Shadow On The Wall are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in Europe, UK, Australia, Ireland and more. One of them is Virgin 600 977, released September 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 600 977, 105 780, VS 625-12, VS 625) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 600977 A-1/83 S I Made in Germany and 600977 B-1/83 S I Ⅱ Made in Germany. 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.
