Vinyl pressings
by R.E.M. · 1987
The One I Love 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.
26 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 7 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-7217-MD4 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈Runout side A, variant 1
IRS-7218-MD4 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈Runout side B, variant 1
IRS-7217-MD4 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈Runout side A, variant 2
IRS-7218-MD3 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈Runout side B, variant 2
IRS 7217-MD4Side A etched, variant 1
IRS 7218-MD3Side B etched, variant 1
IRS-7217-MD2 MASTERDISK ⧈-G-⧈ ISide A etched, exc. ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ and ⧈-G-⧈ stamped, variant 2
IRS-7218-MD1 MASTERDISK I ⧈-G-⧈Side B etched, exc. ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ and ⧈-G-⧈ stamped, variant 2
MASTERDISKRunouts, sides A & B, Stamped
MC-23686-MD2 3Runout, side A, etched, variant 1
MC-23884-MD1 3XRunout, side B, etched, variant 1
MC-23686-MD4Runout, side A, etched, variant 2
MC-23686-MD4 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈ IRunout side A, variant 1
MC-23884-MD3 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈ IIRunout side B, variant 1
MC-23686-MD4 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈ IRunout side A, variant 2
MC-23884-MD3 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈ IRunout side B, variant 2
MASTERDISK ⧈-G-⧈Side A & B runouts, stamped - all variants
MC-23686-MD2 3Side A runout, etched Variant 1
MC-23884-MD1 3XSide B runout, etched Variant 1
MC-23686-MD2 3Side A runout, etched Variant 2
IRS-7212-MD4 MASTERDISKRunout, both sides, variant 1
IRS-7212-MD4 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈ 1Runout, both sides, variant 2
IRS7212Labels, both sides
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 | I.R.S. Records 651113 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IRS-53171First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IRS-53171First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IRS-53171First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILS 651113 7 / I.R.S. Records 651113 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILS 651113 6 / I.R.S. Records 651113 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILS 651113 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | I.R.S. Records 04SP 1072First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | Philippines | I.R.S. Records IR-20807First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRMT 146First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | I.R.S. Records WIRMT 173 DLFirst year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 146First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRMT 148First year12", Advance | 12", Advance |
| 1987 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 146First year7", Advance, Single | 7", Advance, Single |
| 1987 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRMT 146First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Europe | I.R.S. Records 1C 006-2 04537 77", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1991 | Mexico | EMI 700 11137", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1991 | Spain | I.R.S. Records 1C 006-2 04537 77", Single | 7", Single |
| 1991 | UK | I.R.S. Records WIRM 1787", Limited Edition, Numbered, Promo · Promo, Limited, Numbered | 7", Limited Edition, Numbered, Promo · Promo, Limited, Numbered |
| 1991 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 1787", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 1787", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1991 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 1787", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Africa | CBS SSC 6067 / I.R.S. Records SSC 60677", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
39 vinyl pressings of The One I Love are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1987 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is I.R.S. Records IRS-23792, released August 24, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IRS-23792, IRS-53171, L33-17384, IRM 146) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IRS-7217-MD4 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈ and IRS-7218-MD4 MASTERDISK ◈-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.
