Vinyl pressings
by Simple Minds · 1980
Empires And Dance was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, 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.
SPARTY 1140 A//2∇EAR 1 1 1 WEBBSide A, Runout, Version 1
SPARTY 1140 B//3∇ETO 1 1 1Side B, Runout, Version 1
SPARTY 1140 A//1∇EAR NICK WSide A, Runout, Version 2
SPARTY 1140 B//4∇ETOSide B, Runout, Version 2
202863 A-1/80S Made in GermanyRunout side A
202863 B-1/80S Made in GermanyRunout side B
S 202 863 ASide A label
S 202 863 BSide B label
SMX-57083Side A runout
SMX-57084Side B runout
SMX-57083Side A label
SMX-57084Side B label
202863 A-1/80S Made in GermanyRunout side A
202863 B-1/80S Made in GermanyRunout side B
S 202 863 ASide A label
S 202 863 BSide B label
77 ARS 39081-1L 22-9-80Etched in runout A-side
77 ARS 39081-2L 22-9-80Etched in runout B-side
77 ARS 39081-1LLabel A-side
77 ARS 39081-2LLabel B-side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Arista L 37496 / Arista SPART 1140First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Europe | Arista 202 863 / Arista 202 863-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Zoom Records ARS 39081First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Virgin V 2247First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Zoom Records 202863 / Arista 202.863First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Portugal | Arista 5202 863First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Arista I-202 863First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Zoom Records SPART 1140LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1980 | UK | Zoom Records SPART 1140LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Arista SPARTY 1140LP, Advance, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Advance, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | UK | Zoom Records SPART 1140First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | Zoom Records 202863 / Arista 202863First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Arista 202 863 / Arista 202 863-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Arista SBLL 6135 / Zoom Records SBLL 6135LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Sire SIM 3LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Virgin 204 937-320 / Virgin 204 937LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | New Zealand | Virgin V-2247LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | Virgin E-202 863 / Virgin E 202 863LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Spain | Virgin I-202 863 / Virgin I-202.863LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
41 vinyl pressings of Empires And Dance are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1980 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, France, Germany, Australia and more. One of them is Zoom Records SPART 1140, released September 12, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SPART 1140, 202863, 202 863, L 37496) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SPARTY 1140 A//2∇EAR 1 1 1 WEBB and SPARTY 1140 B//3∇ETO 1 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.
