Vinyl pressings
by Patti Smith · 1988
Dream Of Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. 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 1988, 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.
AL-8453-SA-SP DMM MASTERDISK DMM SP2-1Side A runout etched
AL-8453-SB-SP-DMM MASTERDISK DMM SP1-8Side B runout etched
AL-8453-SALabel side A
AL-8453-SBLabel side B
AL-8453-SA-SP DMM SP-HRM MASTERDISK DMM SP2-1 #4 1Side A runout, variant 1
AL-8453-SB-SP-DMM MASTERDISK DMM SP2- SP-HRM IMPT-1Side B runout, variant 1
AL-8453-SA-SP DMM SP-HRM MASTERDISK DMM SP2- #4 1Side A runout, variant 2
AL-8453-SB-SP-DMM MASTERDISK DMM SP2- SP-HRM IMPT-1Side B runout, variant 2
AL-8453-SA-SP DMM MASTERDISK DMM △21050 B-31633-SP-DMM SP1-4 SPAREtched side A, variant 1
AL-8453-SB-SP DMM MASTERDISK DMM △21050-X B-31634-SP-DMM SP1-6 SPAR 0-Etched side B, variant 1
AL-8453-SA-SP-DMM MASTERDISK DMM 0- △21050 B-31633-SP-DMM SP1-5 SPARRunout Side A, variant 2
AL-8453-SB-SP-DMM MASTERDISK DMM △21050-X B-31634-SP-DMM SP1-6 SPAR 0-Runout Side B, variant 2
AL-8453-SA-SP DMM MASTERDISK DMM SP2-1Side A runout etched
AL-8453-SB-SP-DMM MASTERDISK DMM SP1-8Side B runout etched
AL-8453-SALabel side A
AL-8453-SBLabel side B
SP1-1 AL-8453-SA-SP-DMM MASTERDISK DMMSide A runout etched
SP1-2 AL-8453-SB-SP-DMM MASTERDISK DMMSide B runout etched
AL-8453-SASide A label
AL-8453-SBSide B label
<D+AP> AL-8453-SA-G1B G1 A3A Side Runout, etched
<DxTR> AL-8453-SB-G1A E G1 A2B Side Runout, etched
AL-8453-SAA Side Label
AL-8453-SBB Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | Arista TLP-90137 / Arista AL 8453First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Brazil | Arista 1408045 / Arista 140.8045First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Arista AL-8453First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Arista AL-8453LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1988 | Colombia | Arista 2801310021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Germany | AristaLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Greece | Arista 74030 / Arista ARISTA 74030First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Israel | Arista BAN 208839First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Israel | Arista BAN 208839LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Italy | Arista 209 172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Mexico | Arista LAE-809First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Portugal | Arista AL-8453 / Arista 209172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | South Africa | Arista ASTC 206First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | Arista 209 172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | Arista 209 172 / BMG 209 172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Arista AL-8453LP, Album | LP, Album |
29 vinyl pressings of Dream Of Life are listed here, from 18 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, Australasia, Japan, South Korea and more. One of them is Arista AL-8453, released June 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL-8453, VPL1 7589, A27L-52, SAPR-064) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-8453-SA-SP DMM MASTERDISK DMM SP2-1 and AL-8453-SB-SP-DMM MASTERDISK DMM SP1-8. 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.
