Vinyl pressings
by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark · 1983
Dazzle Ships 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.
24 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 18 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.
V-2261-A1Side A, Variants 1 & 3
V-2261-B1Side B, Variant 1
V 2261 A4 D1 [illegible writing]Side A, Variant 2
V 2261 B1 C1Side B, Variant 2
BA [etched] V-2261-A2Side 1, Stamped (ver. 1)
BA [etched] V-2261-BSide 2, Stamped (ver. 1)
V.2261.1Side 1, Stamped (ver. 2)
V.2261.2Side 1, Stamped (ver. 2)
AL 38543 1ARunout side A, variant 1
ABL 38543 1BRunout side B, variant 1
P o AL-38543-1A MASTERDISK I ARunout etched side A with o MASTERDISK I A stamped, variant 2
P o BL-38543-1A MASTERDISK I CRunout etched side B with o MASTERDISK I C stamped, variant 2
G1 AL-38543-1C MASTERDISK A6A-side runout, Variant 1
G1 BL-38543-1D MASTERDISK C5B-side runout, Variant 1
G1 AL-38543-1C MASTERDISK A1A-side runout, Variant 2
G1 BL-38543-1D MASTERDISK C7B-side runout, Variant 2
VIR 811561 A MT410 1691Runout side A
VIR 811561 B MT410 1691Runout side B
811561-1 S 1Label side A
811561-1 S 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin V 2261 / Telegraph V 2261First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | Telegraph VL 2261 / Virgin VL 2261First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Virgin 205 295 / Telegraph 205 295First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Virgin 205 295 / Telegraph 205 295First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Italy | Virgin V 2261 / Telegraph V 2261First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Telegraph VIL-6040 / Virgin VIL-6040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Telegraph VIL-6040 / Virgin VIL-6040First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Telegraph V 2261 / Virgin V 2261First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Portugal | Telegraph 611605 / Virgin 611605First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Virgin V 2261 / Telegraph V 2261First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | South Africa | Virgin VNC 5034First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | Virgin I-205.295First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Spain | Virgin I-205.295First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | Virgin V 2261 / Telegraph V 2261LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1983 | US | Virgin BFE 38543 / Epic BFE 38543First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Europe | Telegraph 0602567731630LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Virgin 0602448814920LP, Reissue, Repress, LP, All Media, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Reissue, Repress, LP, All Media, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | Europe | Virgin 602448631305LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, LP, All Media, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, LP, All Media, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Israel | Virgin 205 295-320LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Sweden | Virgin V-2261LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
37 vinyl pressings of Dazzle Ships are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1983 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Greece, Iceland and more. One of them is Virgin V 2261, released March 4, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V 2261, 3018, BFE 38543, 811561-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V-2261-A1 and V-2261-B1. 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.
