Vinyl pressings
by Pete Townshend · 1989
The Iron Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 8 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.
ST-A-897435-C ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. [SRC logo]Runout side A, variant 1
ST-A-897436-C ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. [SRC logo]Runout side B, variant 1
ST-A-897435-C 1-2 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. [SRC logo]Runout side A, variant 2
ST-A-897436-C 1-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. [SRC logo]Runout side B, variant 2
DM209932 A-1/6-89 IISide A runout, variant 1
DM209932 B-1/6-89 IISide B runout, variant 1
DM209932 A-1/6-89Side A runout, variant 2
DM209932 B-1/6-89Side B runout, variant 2
427038 1 01 ℗1989 200Side 1 Etched
427 038 2 01 ℗1989 200Side 2 Etched
ST-A-895435Label sides A & 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | Virgin V 2592First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Brazil | Virgin 070 427038 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Canada | Atlantic 78 19961First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Greece | Virgin V.G. 50451 / Virgin VG 50451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Greece | Virgin VG 50451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Italy | Virgin V 2592First yearLP | LP |
| 1989 | UK | Virgin V 2592First yearLP | LP |
| 1989 | US | Atlantic A1-81996LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1989 | Europe | Virgin 209 932First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | US | Atlantic 81996-1 / Atlantic 7 81996-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Europe | Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd. 4780159LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Worldwide | Universal Music Recordings 5509286LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of The Iron Man are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1989 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in US, UK, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is Atlantic 81996-1, released June 27, 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 81996-1, V 2592, 209 932, 070 427038 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-897435-C ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. [SRC logo] and ST-A-897436-C ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. [SRC logo]. 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.
