Vinyl pressings
by New Order · 1984
Thieves Like Us was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 14 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.
FAC 103T A2 MEL/cts RW 3Runout side A variant 1
FAC 103T B2 RW MEL/cts MVS 40Runout side B variant 1
FAC 103T A2 MEL/cts RW MVS S8Runout side A variant 2
FAC 103T B2 MEL/ctsRunout side B variant 2
FAC 103T A1 MEL/cts RW MVS 1Runout side A
FAC 103T B1 MEL/cts RW MVS 1Runout side B
FAC 103 A1 MEL/cts MVS 5 RWSide A runout
7FAC 103 B1 MEL/cts MVS 5 RWSide B runout
FAC I03 AI MEL/cts MVS S7 RWRunout side A - variation 1
7FAC I03 BI MEL/cts S-3 RWRunout side B - variation 1
FAC I03 AI RW MEL/cts MVS S7Runout side A - variation 2
7FAC I03 BI RW MVS S6 MEL/ctsRunout side B - variation 2
FACX-17A SNB 230 EL DM-2Runout side A
FACX-17B SNB 230 EL DM-1Runout side B
FAC 103 T A2 CP MEL/cts RWEtched runout side A - variation 1
FAC 103 T B2 MEL/cts RWEtched runout side B - variation 1
FAC 103 T A2 CP RW MEL/ctsEtched runout side A - variation 2
FAC 103 T B2 RW MEL/cts oEtched runout side B - variation 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | France | Factory 80097 / Factory 80 097First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Factory FAC 103First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1984 | Greece | Virgin 062-VG 2026Z / Virgin 062VG-2026 zFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Italy | Base Record FAC 103 / Factory FAC 103First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Factory FAC 103First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Spain | Factory 31-078 M / Factory 31-078First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Factory FAC 103First year7", White Label | 7", White Label |
| 1984 | Zimbabwe | Factory FAC 103First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Canada | Factory FACX 17First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Ireland | Factory FAC 103First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | New Zealand | EMI GOOD 36First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Sweden | Factory FAC 103First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Factory FAC 103First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Factory FAC 103First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Factory FAC 103First year12", 45 RPM, White Label, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, White Label, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Factory FAC 10312", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of Thieves Like Us are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1984 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and more. One of them is Factory FAC 103, released April 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FAC 103, FACX 17, GOOD 36, YW-7420-AX) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FAC 103T A2 MEL/cts RW 3 and FAC 103T B2 RW MEL/cts MVS 40. 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.
