Vinyl pressings
by Public Image Limited · 1978
Public Image was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 7 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+228+ARunout A, variant 1
VS+228+BRunout B, variant 1
VS 228 A2ERunout A, variant 2
VS+228+BRunout B, variant 2
VS 228 A-1U-1-1-6Runout side A, stamped variant 1
VS 228 B-1U-1-1-7Runout side B, stamped variant 1
VS 228 A-1U-1-1-3Runout side A, stamped variant 2
VS 228 B-1U-1-1-2Runout side B, stamped variant 2
VS.228.A 2E ∴Side A runout, variant 1
VS.228.B.2E ∴Side B runout, variant 1
VS.228.A 2E 2 1 BSide A runout, variant 2
VS.228.B.2E 2 3 ∴Side B runout, variant 2
VS+223+ASide A Runout, Etched (Variant 1)
VS+228+BSide B Runout, Etched (Variant 1)
VS-223.A2E 5 DSide A Runout, Etched, 5 D stamped (Variant 2)
VS.223.B-2E 5 DSide B Runout, Etched, 5 D stamped (Variant 2)
VS+228+ARunout Side A, Etched
VS+228+BRunout Side B, Etched
VS 228 A-1U-1-1-X 1
VS 228 B-1U-1-1-1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Germany | Virgin 100 067 / Virgin 100 067-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Ireland | Virgin VS 228First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Ireland | Virgin VS 228First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Italy | Virgin VIN 45020First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 228First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Spain | Virgin 100.067-AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Virgin VS 228First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Virgin VS 228First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Virgin VS 228First year7", 45 RPM, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1978 | UK | Virgin VS 228First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Virgin VS 228First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Special Cut, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Special Cut, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Virgin VS 228First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Australia | Wizard Records ZS 302First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | Virgin 2097 9747", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Greece | Virgin 2097 9747", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | US | Light In The Attic LITA45-0287", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered | 7", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Italy | Virgin VIN 450207", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | Italy | Virgin VIN 450207", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | Italy | Virgin VIN 450207", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2021 | Italy | Virgin VIN 450207", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | Italy | Virgin VIN 450207", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Wizard Records ZS 3027", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | New Zealand | Virgin VS 2287", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
26 vinyl pressings of Public Image are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1978 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Australia, Germany, Ireland and more. One of them is Virgin VS 228, released October 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 228, ZS 302, 100 067, VIN 45020) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS+228+A and VS+228+B. 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.
