Vinyl pressings
by Ministry · 1983
With Sympathy 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.
23 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 13 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.
AL9̶6̶2̶1̶-SA-ESI AL 6608-A EMW STERLINGSide A [Runout]
AL9̶6̶2̶1̶-SB-ESI EMW STERLING AL-6608-BSide B [Runout]
(AL 6608 SA)Side A [Label]
(AL 6608 SB)Side B [Label]
AL 6608-SA 9̶6̶2̶1̶-SA-ESI MR Δ26011 EMW STERLING (Baseball symbol)Side A [Runout]
AL-6608-SB AL9̶6̶2̶1̶-SB-ESI MR Δ26011XEMW STERLING (Baseball symbol)Side B [Runout]
(AL 6608 SA)Side A [Label]
(AL 6608 SB)Side B [Label]
AL9̶6̶2̶1̶-SA-ESI AL 6608-A EMW STERLINGSide A [Runout]
AL9̶6̶2̶1̶-SB-ESI EMW STERLING AL-6608-BSide B [Runout]
(AL 6608 SA)Side A [Label]
(AL 6608 SB)Side B [Label]
ASTJ-142ASide A, Runout
ASTJ-142BSide B, Runout
AL 6-8016 SA RCA2Side A runout, etched
AL 6-8016 SB RCA1Side B runout, etched
AL68016SA A̷-RCA2 I STERLING Λ2 ISide A runout, etched; I STERLING Λ2 stamped - var 1
AL 68016-SB-RCA1 I STERLING Λ1 FSide B runout, etched; I STERLING Λ1 stamped - var 1
AL9621-SH-HRM1 AL 6608 ASide A, Runout
AL9621-SH-HRM1 AL 6608 B STERLINGSide B, Runout
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 | Arista L 38033 / Arista ARL.38033First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista AL 6608First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Arista 205 306First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Arista 205 306First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Arista 205 306First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Arista 205 306First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Arista ARI 90063First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Philippines | Arista RTLP-16036First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Arista ARI 90063First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Africa | RPM Record Company (Pty) Ltd. ASTJ 142First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | Arista I-205 306First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Arista AL 6-8016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Arista AL 6608First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Arista AL 6608First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Arista AL 6608LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1512LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2019 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1512 / Arista MOVLP1512LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| 2019 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1512 / Arista MOVLP1512LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Arista 205 306LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
29 vinyl pressings of With Sympathy are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1983 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Australia, Japan and more. One of them is Arista AL 6608, released May 10, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 6608, ASTJ 142, AL 6-8016, 205 306) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL9̶6̶2̶1̶-SA-ESI AL 6608-A EMW STERLING and AL9̶6̶2̶1̶-SB-ESI EMW STERLING AL-6608-B. 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.
