Vinyl pressings
by Propaganda · 1984
The Nine Lives Of Dr. Mabuse 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.
35 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.
12 ZTAS 2 A-2U-1-1⥛1Runout stamped side A, variant 1
12 ZTAS 2 B-1U-1-1⥛Runout stamped side B, variant 1
12 ZTAS 2 A-2U-1-1⥛↾↾Runout stamped side A, variant 2
12 ZTAS 2 B-1U-1-1⥛↾0Runout stamped side B, variant 2
12 ZTAS 2 A-3U-1-2-5 TOWNHOUSE KEVRunout side A, stamped, etched 'TOWNHOUSE KEV', variant 1
12 ZTAS 2 3-1U-1-1 1 [90° rotated] 10 [mirrored]Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
12 ZTAS 2 A-3U-1-1⥛ 2 TOWNHOUSE KEVRunout side A, stamped, etched 'TOWNHOUSE KEV', variant 2
12 ZTAS 2 B-1U-1-1⥛17Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
ZTAS 2 A-1U-1-1Side A runout, variant 1
ZTAS 2 B-1U-1-11Side B runout, variant 1
ZTAS 2 A-1U-1-1-10Side A runout, variant 2
ZTAS 2 B-1U-1-2-0Side B runout, variant 2
ZTAS 2 A-2U-1-1-0A-side Runout
ZTAS 2 B-1U-1-1-0B-side Runout
ZTAS 2 A-2U-1-1-7A-side, variant 1
ZTAS 2 B-1U-1-1-X 1B-side, variant 1
ZTAS 2 A-2U-1-1-1A-side, variant 2
ZTAS 2 B-1U-1-2-4B-side, variant 2
12 ZTAS 2 A-3U-1-1 TOWNHOUSE KEVSide A runout, variant 1
12 ZTAS 2 B-3U-1-1Side B runout, variant 1
12 ZTAS 2 A-3U-1-1 ⥛ C TOWNHOUSE KEVSide A runout, variant 2
12 ZTAS 2 B-1U-1-1 ⥛ :Side B runout, 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 | Island Records X 14104 / Island Records X-14104First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | Europe | Island Records 601 222 / Island Records 601 222-213First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Island Records 106 281 / Island Records 106 281-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Island Records 601 222 / ZTT 601 222-213First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Island Records 601 222 / ZTT 601 222First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Europe | Island Records 601 222 / ZTT 601 222-213First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Europe | Island Records 601 222-213First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Europe | Island Records 601 222-213 / ZTT 601 222-213First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | ZTT 818 634-1 / Island Records 818 634-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | France | Island Records 6863 237 / ZTT 6863 237First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | France | ZTT 818 634-7 / Island Records 818 634-7First yearSingle, 7", 45 RPM | Single, 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Greece | ZTT 062-2002286 / Island Records 062-2002286First year12", Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | ZTT ZTAS 2 / Island Records ZTAS 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Festival Records X 14104First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | South Africa | Island Records DWIP 6662First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Europe | ZTT 5890985 / Universal Music Recordings 5890985LP, Mini-Album, Record Store Day, Compilation, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Mini-Album, Record Store Day, Compilation, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | ZTT 12 ZTAS 2 / ZTT 12 ZTPS 0212", Mispress | 12", Mispress |
39 vinyl pressings of The Nine Lives Of Dr. Mabuse are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1984 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Spain, Portugal, Japan and more. One of them is ZTT 12 ZTAS 2, released February 27, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12 ZTAS 2, ZTAS 2, 12 ZTAS 2 A3 DJ, A-106.281) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12 ZTAS 2 A-2U-1-1⥛1 and 12 ZTAS 2 B-1U-1-1⥛. 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.
