Vinyl pressings
by Peter Gabriel · 1984
Walk Through The Fire was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. 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 1984, the album's first year, in 11 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.
VS 68912 A -2U-1-1 TOWNHOUSESide A runout, variant 1
VS 68912 B -2U-1-1 TOWNHOUSESide B runout, variant 1
VS 68912 A-1U-1-1 1 2 TOWNHOUSE KEVSide A runout, variant 2
VS 68912 B-2U-1-1 1 1 TOWNHOUSESide B runout, variant 2
VS 689 A-1U-1-1- 4 TOWNHOUSE KEVSide A runout (Version 1)
VS 689 B-2U-1-1- 1 TOWNHOUSESide B runout (Version 1)
VS 689 A-1U-1-1- 2 TOWNHOUSE KEVSide A runout (Version 2)
VS 689 B-2U-1-1- X1 TOWNHOUSESide B runout (Version 2)
VS 689 A-1U-1-1- 3 TOWNHOUSE KEVSide A runout, stamped and etched
VS 689 B-2U-1-1- 2 TOWNHOUSESide B runout, stamped and etched
VS 689-ASide A label
VS 689-BSide B label
VS 689 A-1U-1-1- 4 TOWNHOUSE KEVRunout side A
VS 689 B-2U-1-1- X1 TOWNHOUSERunout side B
STA-46286-2 MASTERDISK SRCSide A Etched / Stamped - variant 1
ST-A-46287-1 @tGP 1-1 SRCSide B Etched / Stamped - variant 1
STA-46286-2 MASTERDISK SRC 1-2Side A Etched / Stamped - variant 2
ST-A-46287-1 @tGP 1-1 SRCSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin VS 689First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin VS 689First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Atlantic 78 96687First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Atlantic 78 96687First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 601 380 -213First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 106 571 / Virgin 106 571-100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | France | Virgin 80120First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | France | Atlantic 90129 / Virgin 90129First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Ireland | Virgin VS 689First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Italy | Charisma VIN 45114 / Virgin VIN 45114First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | Charisma VINX 64 / Virgin VINX 64First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 689. / Virgin VS 689First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Portugal | Charisma 519305First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Spain | Virgin VINX 64First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Virgin A-106.571 / Virgin A 106571First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
24 vinyl pressings of Walk Through The Fire are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Virgin VS 689-12.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 689-12, VS 689, 7-89668, PR 609) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 68912 A -2U-1-1 TOWNHOUSE and VS 68912 B -2U-1-1 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.
