Vinyl pressings
by Modern Eon · 1981
Fiction Tales was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
DID - 11 - A1 COME IN 23.53 BilBo TA1PE ∴ CRunout side A etched / stamped
DID - 11 - B2 YOUR TIME IS UP! BilBo TA1PE ∴Runout side B etched / stamped
(variation 2) DID - 11 - A2 COME IN 23.55 BilBo TA1PE ARunout side A
(variation 2) DID - 11 - B2 YOUR TIME IS UP! BilBo TA1PE ARunout side B
MX200030 DID 11-1Runout side A
MX200031 DID 11-2Runout side B
VL 2223 A5 JR DM-2Side A runout
VL 2223 / VL 2223 B5 JR DM-2Side B runout
[AGI logo] 816 203704 ASide A, machine-stamped
[AGI logo] 816 203704 BSide B, machine-stamped
203704 A-1/81 S I Made In GermanySide A runout
203704 B-1/81 S I Made In GermanySide B runout
S 203 704 ASide A label
S 203 704 BSide B label
DD.11/1 ▽▽Runouts side A
DD.11/2Runouts side B
DID 11/1Label side A
DID 11/2Label side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Dindisc DID 11First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | Dindisc DID 11First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Dindisc VL-2223 / Virgin VL-2223First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Dindisc 203704 / Dindisc DID 11First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Dindisc 203 704 / Dindisc 203 704-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | Dindisc DID 11First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Dindisc 203.704 / Dindisc 203 704-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Dindisc DID 11First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Dindisc DID 11First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Dindisc DID-11LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Italy | Lantern Rec. LANR064LP, Record Store Day · Colored vinyl | LP, Record Store Day · Colored vinyl |
11 vinyl pressings of Fiction Tales are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1981 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, Canada, France and more. One of them is Dindisc DID 11, released April 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DID 11, VL-2223, 203704, 203 704) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DID - 11 - A1 COME IN 23.53 BilBo TA1PE ∴ C and DID - 11 - B2 YOUR TIME IS UP! BilBo TA1PE ∴. 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.
