Vinyl pressings
by R.E.M. · 1987
Dead Letter Office was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1987, 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.
SP 070054-A ES1. EmwSide A runout
SP 070054-B ES1. EmwSide B runout
SP-070054-ASide A label
SP-070054-BSide B label
AM SP070054-A ES4⋅ EmwSide A runout, variant 1
AM SP070054-B ES1⋅ EmwSide B runout, variant 1
AM SP070054-A ES1⋅ EmwSide A runout, variant 2
AM SP070054-B ES1⋅ EmwSide B runout, variant 2
SP 070054-A ES1⋅ CDT EmwA-side runout
SP 070054-B ES1⋅ CDT EmwB-side runout
SP070054-AA-side label
SP070054-BB-side label
AM SP 070054-A ES4· [trumpet] EmwSide A runout
SP 070054-B'' ES1· [trumpet] EmwSide B runout
SP-070054-ASide A label
SP-070054-BSide B label
AM SP 070054-A ES4· [trumpet] EmwSide A runout
SP 070054-B'' ES1· [trumpet] EmwSide B runout
SP-070054-ASide A label
SP-070054-BSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia & New Zealand | I.R.S. Records 450961 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Brazil | I.R.S. Records 235502 / Epic 235502First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Canada | I.R.S. Records SP-70054First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Canada | I.R.S. Records SP-570054 / I.R.S. Records SP 570054LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILP 450961 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILP 465382 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Greece | I.R.S. Records ILP 450961 1 / I.R.S. Records 24-450961-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Spain | I.R.S. Records ILP 450961 1 / Illegal Records ILP 450961 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | UK | I.R.S. Records SP 70054First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | I.R.S. Records SP-70054 / I.R.S. Records SP 70054First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70054First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70054LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | US | I.R.S. Records SP-70054 / I.R.S. Records SP 70054First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70054LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70054 / I.R.S. Records SP-70054First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Brazil | I.R.S. Records 068 713199 1 / I.R.S. Records 713199 1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | US | I.R.S. Records B0024995-01 / UMe B0024995-01LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 2016 | Europe | I.R.S. Records 00602547899835 / Universal Music Group International 00602547899835LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 2016 | US | I.R.S. Records B0024995-01LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
21 vinyl pressings of Dead Letter Office are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1987 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Australia & New Zealand, Brazil and more. One of them is I.R.S. Records SP 70054, released April 27, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 70054, SP-70054, 450961 1, 235502) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP 070054-A ES1. Emw and SP 070054-B ES1. Emw. 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.
