Vinyl pressings
by R.E.M. · 1986
Superman was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1986, 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-21101-MD3 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈Side A etched (ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ ◈-P-◈ stamps), variant 1
MC 21882 AM 3 ◈-P-◈Side B etched (◈-P-◈ stamp), variant 1
MASTERDISK ◈-P̶-◈Sides A & B, Stamped, variant 2
MC-21101-MD4 ◈-P-◈II MASTERDISKSide A etched (ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ ◈-P-◈ stamps), variant 3
MC-21101-MD1 2 MASTERDISK ⧈-G-⧈A-Side Runout Etching [MASTERDISK ⧈-G-⧈ Stamped, 2 ⧈-G-⧈ Upside Down]
MC 21882 AM1· 2 ⧈-G-⧈B-Side Runout Etching [ ⧈-G-⧈ Stamped, 2 ⧈-G-⧈ Upside Down]
MC-21101-MD2 MASTERDISK ⧈-G-⧈A-Side Runout Etching [Version 2] [MASTERDISK ⧈-G-⧈ Stamped, ⧈-G-⧈ Upside Down]
MC 21882 AM1· 2 ⧈-G-⧈B-Side Runout Etching [Version 2] [ ⧈-G-⧈ Stamped, 2 ⧈-G-⧈ Upside Down]
MC-21101-MD3 MASTERDISKRun-out Side A
MC 21882 AM 3Run-out Side B
MC21101Label Side A
MC21882Label Side B
IRS-6171-MD7 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈Runout etched Masterdisk ◈-P-◈ stamped both sides, variant 1
IRS-6171-MD7 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈ 1Runout etched Masterdisk ◈-P-◈ stamped both sides, variant 2
MC-21101-MD3 MASTERDISKRun-out Side A
MC-21101-MD3 MASTERDISKRun-out Side B
MC 21101Label Side A
MC 21101Label Side B
MC-21101-MD3Runout, etched, side A
MC-21101-MD3Runout, etched, side B
MASTERDISK ◈-P̶-◈Runout, stamped, both sides
MC 21101Label, side A
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | I.R.S. Records 650225 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILS 650225 6 / I.R.S. Records 650225 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILS 650225 7 / I.R.S. Records 650225 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 128First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRMT 128First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | I.R.S. Records WIRMT 128 dlFirst year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 128First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 128First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records L33-17200 / I.R.S. Records IRS 6171First year12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-52971First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-52971First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records L33-17200 / I.R.S. Records IRS 6171First year12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-52971First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IRS-52971First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IRS-52971First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
18 vinyl pressings of Superman are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is I.R.S. Records IRS-52971, released November 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IRS-52971, L33-17200, IRM 128, IRMT 128) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC-21101-MD3 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈ and MC 21882 AM 3 ◈-P-◈. 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.
