Vinyl pressings
by Soft Cell · 1983
The Art Of Falling Apart was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 16 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.
BIZL 3 A // 2 ▽ 420 V 1 2 5 RAYSRunout side A, variant 1
BIZL 3 B // 1 ▽ 420 V 1 2 6Runout side B, variant 1
APART 12 A // 1 ▽ 420 V 1 2 2 RAYSRunout side C, variant 1
APART 12 B // 2 ▽ 420 V 1 2 3Runout side D, variant 1
BIZL 3 A // 2 ▽ 420 V 1 1 9 RAYSRun-out side A. Variant 1
BIZL 3 B // 1 ▽ 420 V 1 1 1 0Run-out side B. Variant 1
BIZL 3 A // 1 ▽ 420 V 1 2 2 RAYSRun-out side A. Variant 2
BIZL 3 B // 1 ▽ 420 V 1 1 1 0Run-out side B. Variant 2
1-23769-A RE1 JW 1 STERLING #2 0Runout Side A
1-23769-B RE1 JW 1 STERLING 0Runout Side B
1-23769-C RE1 JW3 0 STERLINGRunout Side C
1-23769-D RE1 JW 2 #3 0Runout Side D
1- 23 769-A - RE1 WW2 一◁Side A, Variant 1
1- 23 769-B RE1 WW1 #2 一◁ STERLINGSide B, Variant 1
1- 23 769-C - RE1 WW2 #2 一◁ STERLINGSide C, Variant 1
1- 23 769-D RE1 WW1 #4 一◁ STERLINGSide D, Variant 1
1-23 769-A RE1 SH2 SLM △ 3280 1-1 B-17558-Re1-SH2Side A; etched
1-23 769-B RE1 - SH2 SLM △ 3280-X 1-1 B-17559-Re1-SH2Side B; etched
1-23 769-C RE1 SH1 SLM △ 3281 1-1 B-17560-Re1-SH1Side C; etched
1-23 769-D - RE1 • SH2 SLM △ 3281-X 1-1 B-17561 Re1-SH2Side D; etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australasia | Vertigo 6359 124 / Some Bizzare 6359 124First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Vertigo VOG-1-3320 / Some Bizzare VOG-1-3320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Some Bizzare VOG-1-3320 / Sire 1-23769First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, 12", 45 RPM, EP · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, 12", 45 RPM, EP · Limited |
| 1983 | France | Vertigo 6359 124First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Vertigo 6359 124First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | Philips 6359 124First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | Philips 6359 124LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Ireland | Vertigo 6359 124First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Israel | Vertigo 6359 124First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Vertigo 6359 124First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Vertigo 25PP-79First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Vertigo 25PP-79First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6359 124First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6359 124First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Portugal | Vertigo 6359 124First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | UK | Mercury 4794408 / Some Bizzare BIZL3LP, Album, 12", 45 RPM, Single | LP, Album, 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Germany | Universal Music Group 00602475632825LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2025 | UK | Mercury 7563282 / Universal Music Recordings 00602475632825LP, LP, All Media, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, LP, All Media, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australasia | Vertigo 6359 124 / Some Bizzare 6359 124LP, Album | LP, Album |
38 vinyl pressings of The Art Of Falling Apart are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1983 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Netherlands, Australasia and more. One of them is Some Bizzare BIZL3, released January 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BIZL3, 1-23769, W1-23769, 6359 124) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BIZL 3 A // 2 ▽ 420 V 1 2 5 RAYS and BIZL 3 B // 1 ▽ 420 V 1 2 6. 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.
