Vinyl pressings
by Mink DeVille · 1983
Where Angels Fear To Tread 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.
17 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
ST-A-835309-A [Criteria logo] MF 1-1 [SRC logo]Side A runout
ST-A-835310-A [SRC logo] [Criteria logo] MF 1-1Side B runout
ST-A-835309-SPLabel side A
ST-A-835310-SPLabel side B
ST-A-835309-A B-18695A △5538 0- Criteria MF 1-2 SPAR SRCRunout side A
ST-A-835310-A SRC B-18696-A △5538-X 0- Criteria MF 1-2 SPARRunout side B
ST-A-835309-ARLabel side A
ST-A-835310-ARLabel side B
LIB 5027 - A DBRunout side A
LIB 5027 - B DBRunout side B
LIB 5027 ALabel side A
LIB 5027 BLabel side B
78-01151-A2 MCP JWSide A etched
78-01151-B QUSide B etched
R / S Alsdorf 780115-1 A 3 X 64Runout side 1 stamped / etched
R / S Alsdorf 780115-1 B 2 34Runout side 2 stamped / etched
R / S Alsdorf 780115-1 A 3 X 14Runout side 1, variant 1 stamped / etched
R / S Alsdorf 780115-1 B Criteria MF ST-A 5353/0 A GB (indecipherable stamp) 1-3Runout side 2, variant 1 stamped / etched
R/S Alsdorf 780115-1 A Criteria MF ST-A -835309-ARunout side 1, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 780115-1 BX GB Criteria MF ST-A-835310-ARunout side 2, 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 | Liberation Records LIB 5027 / Liberation Records LIB-5027First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Atlantic 78-0115-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Atlantic 78-0115-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Atlantic 78-0115-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Atlantic 78-0115-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Atlantic 78-0115-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Atlantic 78-0115-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Atlantic 46 427 1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | Germany | Atlantic 78-0115-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Italy | Atlantic 78 0115-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Atlantic 78-0115-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Atlantic 78-0115-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Atlantic 801151 / Atlantic 7 80115-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Atlantic 78-0115-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Atlantic 7 80115-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
18 vinyl pressings of Where Angels Fear To Tread are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Australia, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Atlantic 80115-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 80115-1, LIB 5027, 78-0115-1, 78 0115-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-835309-A [Criteria logo] MF 1-1 [SRC logo] and ST-A-835310-A [SRC logo] [Criteria logo] MF 1-1. 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.
