Vinyl pressings
by Siouxsie & The Banshees · 1979
The Staircase (Mystery) was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 6 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.
POSP 9 A//4▽EP 1 1 1 0 MBπSide A, variant 1
POSP 9 B//1▽EP 1 1 2 2Side B, variant 1
POSP 9 A//4▽EP 1 1 8 MBπSide A, variant 2
POSP 9 B//1▽E P 1 1 1 0Side B, variant 2
POSP 9 A 2 P [AGI logo] 793Runout side A, variant 1
[AGI logo] 79 3 9 BRunout side B, variant 1
POSP 9 A 3 P [AGI logo] 793Runout side A, variant 2
[AGI logo] 79 3 9 BRunout side B, variant 2
POSP 9 A2 3 P [AGI logo] 793 MBπSide A runout
[AGI logo] 79 3 92 BSide B runout
POSP 9 A//1▽EP 11 1Side A runout, variant 1
POSP 9 B//1▽EP 11 2Side B runout, variant 1
POSP 9 A//2▽EP 11 1Side A runout, variant 2
POSP 9 B//2▽EP 11 1Side B runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Netherlands | Polydor 2059 089First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Polydor 2059 089First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Spain | Polydor 20 59 089First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Germany | Polydor 2059 089First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 9 / Polydor 2059 089First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Polydor POSP 9 / Polydor 2059 089First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Polydor POSP 9 / Polydor 2059 089First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Polydor POSP 9 / Polydor 2059 089First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Polydor POSP 9 / Polydor 2059 089First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Polydor POSP 9 / Polydor 2059 089First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Japan | Polydor DPQ 6137 / Polydor DPQ6137First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Japan | Polydor DPQ 6137First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
12 vinyl pressings of The Staircase (Mystery) are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Germany, Ireland, Japan and more. One of them is Polydor POSP 9, released March 23, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSP 9, 2059 089, DPQ 6137, 20 59 089) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSP 9 A//4▽EP 1 1 1 0 MBπ and POSP 9 B//1▽EP 1 1 2 2. 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.
