Vinyl pressings
by R.E.M. · 1987
Its The End Of The World As We Know It 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 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.
MC-24479E MD3Side A runout, variant 1
MC-24483-MD4Side B runout, variant 1
MC-24479E MD3 MASTERDISK BK ◈-P-◈Side A runout, variant 2
MC-24483-MD4 MASTERDISK BK ◈-P-◈Side B runout, variant 2
△18995 1-2 MC 24640 E-DMM Precision DMMSide A runout
MC-24483-MD4 MASTERDISK BK ◈-P-◈Side B runout
MC24640ESide A label
MC24483Side B label
MC-24479E-MD1 MASTERDISK•BK ⧈-G-⧈ ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout
MC-24483-MD1 MASTERDISK•BK ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout
MC24479ESide A label
MC24483Side B label
MCA-7362-MD1 MASTERDISK BK 回-G-回 1Runout side A, variant 1
MCA-7363-MD1 MASTERDISK BK 回-G-回 1Runout side B, variant 1
MCA-7362-MD1 MASTERDISK BK 回-G-回 1Runout side A, variant 2
MCA-7363-MD1 MASTERDISK BK 回-G-回 2Runout side B, variant 2
Δ18995 1-2 MC 24640 E -DM M Precision DMMSide A runout
Δ18995 1-2 MC 24640 E -DM M Precision DMMSide B runout
MC24640ESide A label
IRS-7362-MD3 Masterdisk BKSide A, runout
IRS-7362-MD3 Masterdisk BKSide B, runout
IRS-7362-MD3 ◈-P-◈ MASTERDISK BKSide A etched Masterdisk, ◈-P-◈ stamped, variant 1
IRS-7363-MD3 MASTERDISK BK ◈-P-◈Side B etched Masterdisk, ◈-P-◈ stamped, variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IRS-53220First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 145First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK & Ireland | I.R.S. Records IRM 145First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | US | I.R.S. Records L33-17430First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-53220First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | I.R.S. Records L33-17430First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-53220First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-53220First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-53220First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-53220First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IRS-53220First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Spain | I.R.S. Records ARI 2066First year7", Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRMT 145First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 145First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Australia | I.R.S. Records 651348 77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Mexico | EMI 700 11487", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1991 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 1807", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 1807", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 1807", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| 1992 | Spain | Hispavox 006 40 2409 7 / I.R.S. Records 006-40240977", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-532207", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
21 vinyl pressings of Its The End Of The World As We Know It are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1987 and 1992.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Canada, UK & Ireland and more. One of them is I.R.S. Records IRS-53220.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IRS-53220, L33-17430, IRMT 145, IRM 145) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC-24479E MD3 and MC-24483-MD4. 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.
