Vinyl pressings
by Scott Cossu · 1984
Islands was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
WH 1033-RE1-A-SH2 SLM △ 7859 1-1 EmwRunout - Etched - Side A
WH 1033B-RE1-SH1 SLM△ 7859-X 1-1Runout - Etched - Side B
WH-1033AMatrix - Center Label - Side A
WH-1033BMatrix - Center Label - Side B
WH 1033-RE1-A-SH3 SLM △ 7859 1-Runout side A, variant 1
WH 1033-B11 SH-3 SLM △ 7859-X 1-2Runout side B, variant 1
WH 1033A SH2 SLM △ 7859 1-2Runout side A, variant 2
WH-1033-B SH-3 SLM △ 7859-X 1-2Runout side B, variant 2
SMX-66111Side 1 Printed Label
SMX-66112Side 2 Printed Label
WH-9-1033-RE1-SH2 SLM △ 7859 /-2 CR W̶H̶-̶9̶-̶1̶0̶3̶3̶-̶R̶E̶1̶-̶A̶-̶S̶H̶2̶Side A, etched
WH-9-1033 B RE1 SH2 SLM △ 7859-X /-2 CR W̶H̶-̶1̶0̶3̶3̶-̶R̶E̶1̶-̶B̶-̶S̶H̶2̶Side B, etched
19-061033-1 (WH-01033-a)Label Side A
19-061033-2 (WH-01033-b)Label Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia & New Zealand | Windham Hill Records L 43005 / Windham Hill Records WH-1033First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Windham Hill Records WH-9-1033First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Windham Hill Records AMWH-61033 / A&M Records AMWH-61033First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Windham Hill Records LP 371033-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Windham Hill Records TA-C-1033First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Windham Hill Records 371033-1 / A&M Records 371033-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | Windham Hill Records WHP-28023First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Windham Hill Records LP 371033-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Windham Hill Records WH-1033First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Windham Hill Records WH-1033First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | Windham Hill Records C28Y5020LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | Japan | Windham Hill Records C28Y5020LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Brazil | Windham Hill Records 371 033-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of Islands are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1984 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Australia & New Zealand, Canada and more. One of them is Windham Hill Records WH-1033.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WH-1033, LP 371033-1, L 43005, WH-9-1033) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WH 1033-RE1-A-SH2 SLM △ 7859 1-1 Emw and WH 1033B-RE1-SH1 SLM△ 7859-X 1-1. 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.
