Vinyl pressings
by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark · 1981
Architecture & Morality 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.
43 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 17 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 12 · A7 TOWNHOUSERun-out side A, variant 1
DID 12 · B3 TOWNHOUSERun-out side B, variant 1
DID · 12 A3 1 TOWNHOUSE DRun-out side A, variant 2
DID 12 · B3 4 TOWNHOUSE CRun-out side B, variant 2
DID 12 A - 10U - 1 - 4 - GDRunout Side A, Variant 1
DID . 12 . B . 7 4 TOWN HOUSERunout Side B, Variant 1
DID 12 A - 10U - 1 - 4 - 1 GDRunout Side A, Variant 2
DID . 12 . B . 7 TOWN HOUSERunout Side B, Variant 2
DID 12 A-10U-1-1-3 GDRunout side A variant 1
DID.12.B·7 G TOWN HOUSE 2Runout side B variant 1
DID 12 A-10U-1-3-24 GDRunout side A variant 2
DID. 12. B. 7 TOWN HOUSE 2Runout side B variant 2
DAMONT DID 12 · A10Run-out Side A, etched
DAMONT DID 12 · B10Run-out Side B, etched
DID ·12 A7 TOWNHOUSERunout, A-side, variant 1
DID-12-B5 TOWNHOUSERunout, B-side, variant 1
DID ·12 A7 TOWNHOUSE ⋀Runout, A-side, variant 2
DID-12-B6 TOWNHOUSE DRunout, B-side, variant 2
DID - 12 - A8 TOWN HOUSE ⋀Side A runout, etched/stamped, variant 1
DID - 12 - B6 TOWN HOUSE ⋀Side B runout, etched/stamped, variant 1
DID - 12 - A3 TOWNHOUSESide A runout, etched/stamped, variant 2
DID - 12 - B6 TOWNHOUSESide B runout, etched/stamped, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Canada | Dindisc VL2231 / Dindisc VL 2231First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Virgin VL 2231NFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Dindisc VL 2231 / Dindisc VL 2231NFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Finland | Dindisc DID 12First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Finland | Dindisc DID 12First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Virgin 204016 / Dindisc DID12First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Dindisc 204 016-320 / Virgin 204016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Virgin 204016 / Dindisc DID12First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Dindisc 204 016 / Dindisc 204 016-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Dindisc 204 016 / Sonocord 28 483-6LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | Greece | Dindisc 2473 825First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | Dindisc 2473 825First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1981 | Iceland | Steinar DID 12 / Dindisc Did 12First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Iceland | Dindisc DID12 / Dindisc Did 12First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Dindisc DID 12 / Dindisc DID12.First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Virgin OVED 276 / Dindisc DID12LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Europe | Virgin EMI Records 0602557050820LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2018 | Europe | Virgin EMI Records 0602557050820LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Virgin DID 12LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | Dindisc DID 12LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Portugal | Dindisc 602105LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Spain | Virgin E-204 016 / Virgin E 204016LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | Dindisc I-204016LP, Album | LP, Album |
64 vinyl pressings of Architecture & Morality are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1981 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, South Africa, Australia and more. One of them is Dindisc DID12, released November 6, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DID12, ARE 37721, DNC 1002, DID 12) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DID 12 · A7 TOWNHOUSE and DID 12 · B3 TOWNHOUSE. 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.
