Vinyl pressings
by Sandra · 1985
The Long Play was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 13 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.
DM 207356 A-1/85 S IISide A, runout, variant 1
DM 207356 B-1/85 S IVSide B, runout, variant 1
DM 207356 A-1/85 S II IISide A, runout, variant 2
DM 207356 B-1/85 S II IIISide B, runout, variant 2
DM 207356 A-1/85 S II IIISide A, runout, variant 1
DM 207356 B-1/85 S II IISide B, runout, variant 1
DM 207356 A-1/85 S II VSide A, runout, variant 2
DM 207356 B-1/85 S II VSide B, runout, variant 2
DM 207356 A-1/85 S IISide A, Variant 1
DM 207356 B-1/85 S IVSide B, Variant 1
DM 207356 A-1/85 S II ⅡSide A, Variant 2
DM 207356 B-1/85 S II ⅢSide B, Variant 2
70418 ASide A, Variant 1
70418 BSide B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Unknown | Virgin Schallplatten GmbH DM 207 356First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Brazil | Mercury 8265891 / Mercury 826 589-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Ecuador | Mercury LP-70059First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Europe | RCA PL 70934 / RCA PL70934First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Virgin 70418First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | Virgin DM 207 356 / Sonocord 36 085-9LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Germany | Virgin 43 267 4LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Greece | Virgin VG 50146First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Israel | Virgin 207 356-630First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Italy | Virgin VDI 109First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Spain | Virgin T-207.356 / Virgin T 207356First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Taiwan | Virgin 207 356-630 / Rock Records & Tapes RCHC-086First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Venezuela | Mercury 90.076-LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Zimbabwe | Virgin VNC 5076First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Ecuador | Mercury LP-70059 / Virgin 207 356-630First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | USSR | Мелодия C60 27363 007LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | USSR | Мелодия C60 27363 007LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | USSR | Мелодия C60 27363 007LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Russia | 80 Latituderecords 80LTLP-268LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Virgin 207 356LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Kenya | Mercury 825589 / Mercury 825 589-1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | USSR | Мелодия C60 27363 007LP, Album | LP, Album |
62 vinyl pressings of The Long Play are listed here, from 26 countries, released between 1985 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Europe, Ecuador, Portugal, Turkey and more. One of them is Virgin 207 356-630, released November 11, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 207 356-630, PL 70934, DM 207 356, LP-70059) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DM 207356 A-1/85 S II and DM 207356 B-1/85 S IV. 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.
