Vinyl pressings
by R.E.M. · 1988
Finest Worksong was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 4 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.
IRS 7663-SS 1 回-G-回 1 STERLINGRunout side A
IRS 7664-SS1 回-G-回 1 STERLINGRunout side B
IRS 7663Label side A
IRS 7664Label side B
◈-P-◈ SterlingSide A & B Stamped
IRS7663-SS3 ◈-P-◈ SterlingEtched Side A
IRS7664-SS3 ◈-P-◈ SterlingEtched Side B
(IRS7663)Label Side A
IRS7663-SS3 ◈-P-◈ SterlingRunout side A
IRS7664-SS3 ◈-P-◈ SterlingRunout side B
(IRS7663)Label Side A
(IRS7664)Label Side B
IRS 7658 557Side A runout etched
IRS - 7659 - MD3Side B runout etched
IRS-7658 557 ◈-P-◈ 1Side A runout etched, ◈-P-◈ stamped, variant 1
IRS- 7659-MD3 ◈-P-◈ 1 MASTERDISKSide B runout etched, ◈-P-◈ Masterdisk stamped, variant 1
IRS 7658 SS26 (2 is scratched out)Side A runout etched, variant 1
IRS - 7659 - MD1Side B runout etched, variant 1
IRS 7658-SS5 回-G-回 STERLING 1Side A runout etched, 回-G-回 & STERLING stamped, variant 2
IRS-7659-MD1 MASTERDISK 回-G-回 1Side B runout etched, MASTERDISK & 回-G-回 stamped, variant 2
＊ IRMT-161﹒A-1 ＊ 1 1 MT. 3Runout side A, variant 1
＊ IRMT-161﹒B-1 ＊ 1 1 MT. 3Runout side B, variant 1
＊ IRMT-161﹒A-1 ＊ 1 1 MT. 1Runout side A, variant 2
＊ IRMT-161﹒B-1 ＊ 1 1 MT. 3Runout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IRS-23850First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILS 651320 7First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRMT 161First year12", Advance | 12", Advance |
| 1988 | UK | I.R.S. Records WIRM(T) 161 DLFirst year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 161First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 161First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-23850First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1988 | US | I.R.S. Records L33-17510First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-23850First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1988 | US | I.R.S. Records L33-17510First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-23850First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILS 651320 6 / I.R.S. Records 651320 6First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRMT 161First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 161First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 161First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
15 vinyl pressings of Finest Worksong are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, Europe, Canada. One of them is I.R.S. Records IRS-23850.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IRS-23850, L33-17510, IRMT 161, IRM 161) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IRS 7663-SS 1 回-G-回 1 STERLING and IRS 7664-SS1 回-G-回 1 STERLING. 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.
