Vinyl pressings
by Red Box · 1986
The Circle & The Square 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.
9 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 9 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.
R/S Alsdorf 242037-1-ARunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 242037-1-BRunout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 242037-1-A 14 ARUN D IRunout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 242037-1-B 4Runout side B, variant 2
Round Side : R/S Alsdorf 242037-1-A ARUN UK
Square Side : R/S Alsdorf 242037-1-B
1 25436 A SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-26078-SH1 △15002 1-1Side A runout, etched/stamped
1 25436 B SH6 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-26079-SH6 △15002-X 1-1Side A runout, etched/stamped
MX212591 242037-1-1 ARunout side A
MX212591 242037-1-2 ARunout side B
24-20371 ROUND SIDE J.W. ○ ○ (CR) ○ ○ ○ ○Side A runout
24-20371 SQUARE SIDE J.W. ◻︎ ◻︎ (CR) ◻︎ ◻︎ ◻︎Side B runout
Round Side : 4RUN WX79A R/S Alsdorf 242037-1-A
Square Side : R/S Alsdorf 242037-1-B WX79-B CIR8
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 & New Zealand | WEA 242037-1 / Sire 242037-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | WEA 24 20371First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | WEA 242 037-1 / WEA 242037-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Ireland | WEA WX79 / WEA 242037-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Israel | WEA BAN 242037-1 / Sire BAN 242037-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | WEA P-13441First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Portugal | WEA 1591141First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | WEA WX79First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Sire 9 25436-1 / Sire 1-25436First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 36.081 / Warner Bros. Records 670.0011LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | WEA P-13441LP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of The Circle & The Square are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Europe, UK, US, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is WEA 242 037-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 242 037-1, WX79, 9 25436-1, 242037-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 242037-1-A and R/S Alsdorf 242037-1-B. 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.
