Vinyl pressings
by Quando Quango · 1985
Genius was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 5 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.
FACT 137 A DWRunout side A, variation 1
FACT 137 B1 DWRunout side B, variation 1
FACT 137 A DWRunout side A, variation 2
FACT 137 B3 DWRunout side B, variation 2
FACT 137 A DWRunout side A
FACT 137 B1 DWRunout side B
7" FAC 137 A DWSide A runout, etched
7" FAC 137 B DWSide B runout, etched
FACT 137 A DWRunout side A
FACT 137 B1 DWRunout side B
7" FAC 137 A DWSide A runout, etched
7" FAC 137 B DWSide B runout, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Belgium | Factory Benelux FAC 137 / Factory Benelux FACT 137First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | France | Virgin SA 3027First year12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Italy | Base Record FAC 137 / Base Record FACT 137First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Factory FACT 137First year12", Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1985 | UK | Factory FAC 137First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | UK | Factory FACT 137First year12", Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1985 | UK | Factory FAC 137First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, White Label · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Pow Wow Records PRO 405First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | UK | Factory FAC 137First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | US | Pow Wow Records WOW 405First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
10 vinyl pressings of Genius are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Belgium, Italy and more. One of them is Factory FAC 137, released October 28, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FAC 137, FACT 137, WOW 405, PRO 405) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FACT 137 A DW and FACT 137 B1 DW. 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.
