Vinyl pressings
by Penguin Cafe Orchestra · 1987
Signs Of Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 9 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.
EGED 50 A-1U-1-1-4 DDD (TOWNHOUSE DMM etched)Runout side A stamped
EGED 50 B-1U-1-1- DD (TOWNHOUSE DMM etched)Runout side B stamped
EGED 50ALabel side A
EGED 50BLabel side B
EGED-50-A-RE1 STERLING HUBSide A runout
EGED-50-B STERLINGSide B runout
DM 208226 A-1/3-87Runout side A
DM 208226 B-1/3-87Runout side B
DM 208 226 ALabel side A
DM 208 226 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Unknown | Virgin VG50267First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Editions EG EGED 50First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | Editions EG 208 226 / Virgin 208 226First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | EG 70501 / Virgin 70501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Greece | Editions EG VG 50267 / Virgin VG-50267First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Italy | Editions EG EGED 50First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | Editions EG 28VB-1165 / Virgin 28VB-1165First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | Editions EG 28VB-1165 / Virgin 28VB-1165First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Spain | EG T-208 226 / Editions EG T-208 226First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Editions EG EGED 50First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | EG 70501 / Virgin 70501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Editions EG EGED 50First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Editions EG EGED 50LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | UK | Editions EG INTGDS00017LP / Integral INTGDS00017LPLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
14 vinyl pressings of Signs Of Life are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1987 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Editions EG EGED 50.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EGED 50, 70501, VG50267, 208 226) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EGED 50 A-1U-1-1-4 DDD (TOWNHOUSE DMM etched) and EGED 50 B-1U-1-1- DD (TOWNHOUSE DMM etched). 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.
