Vinyl pressings
by Simple Minds · 1991
Real Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1991. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1991, the album's first year, in 14 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.
102 DM 211393 A-1 CSide A, variant 1
102 DM 211393 B-1 CSide B, variant 1
103 DM 211393 A- 2 CSide A, variant 2
102 DM 211393 B- 1 CSide B, variant 2
102 DM 211393 A-1 C III
102 DM 211393 B-1 C III
103 DM 211393 A-2 C IIRunout side A
102 DM 211393 B-1 C IIRunout side B
V 2660 A-4U-1-1Side A, Variant 1
V 2660 B-1U-1-1Side B, Variant 1
V 2660 A-2U-1-1Side A, Variant 2
V 2660 B-1U-1-1Side B, Variant 2
V 2660 A-2J-1-1Runout Side A
V 2660 B-1J-1-1Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Brazil | Virgin 427125 1First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1991 | Czech And Slovak Federative Republic | Popron 50 112-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Europe | Virgin V 2660 / Virgin 211 393First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | Europe | Virgin V 2660 / Virgin 211 393First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Europe | Virgin 40088-7First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Europe | Virgin V 2660 / Virgin V2660First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | Greece | Virgin VG 50538First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Hungary | MMC Records PL MMC 9107First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Italy | Virgin V 2660 / Virgin V2660First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Mexico | Virgin 119 427125 1 / EMI 119 427125 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Poland | Polskie Nagrania Muza SX 3025First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Portugal | Virgin 605586First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | South Korea | EMI VKPL-0050First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Spain | Virgin (LL) 211393First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | UK | Virgin V 2660 / Virgin V2660First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
18 vinyl pressings of Real Life are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1991, in Europe, UK, Brazil, Czech And Slovak Federative Republic and more. One of them is Virgin V 2660.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V 2660, 40088-7, 427125 1, 50 112-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 102 DM 211393 A-1 C and 102 DM 211393 B-1 C. 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.
