Vinyl pressings
by Spandau Ballet · 1988
Raw was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 5 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.
SPANS - 3 - A1 C TOWNHOUSE ∴Runout etched side A Variant 1
SPANS - 3 - B1 c , Bside TOWNHOUSE ∴Runout etched side B Variant 1
SPANS · 3 · A1 2 TOWNHOUSE >Runout etched side A Variant 2
SPANS - 3 - B1 1 Bside TOWNHOUSE >Runout etched side B Variant 2
SPANS T-3 A1 TOWNHOUSE EXTENDED MIX Λ 4Side A
SPANS T-3 B1 B-1 TOWNHOUSESide B
SPANS•3•A1 5 TOWNHOUSE ΛRunout side A
SPANS•3•B1 3 BSIDE TOWNHOUSE ΛRunout side B
SPANS A1 TOWNHOUSE EXTENDED MIX > T3A-Side, etched, T3 stamped
SPANS A1 TOWNHOUSE CLUBMIX > Q3B-Side, etched, Q3 stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | CBS 652959 6First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1988 | Australia | CBS 652959 6First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Europe | CBS 652959 7 / CBS CBS 652959 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | CBS CBS 652959 8 / CBS 652959 8First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Europe | CBS CBS 652959 6 / CBS 652959 6First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Italy | CBS 6529596First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Spain | CBS CBS 652959 6 / CBS 652959 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | CBS CBS 652959 7First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Single Sided · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Single Sided · Promo |
| 1988 | Spain | CBS CBS 652959 7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1988 | UK | CBS SPANS T3 / Reformation SPANS T3First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | UK | CBS SPANS Q3First year12" | 12" |
| 1988 | UK | CBS SPANSQ 3First year12", Single, Promo, Single Sided · Promo | 12", Single, Promo, Single Sided · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | CBS SPANS P3First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | CBS SPANS Q3First year12", Single Sided, White Label | 12", Single Sided, White Label |
| 1988 | UK | CBS SPANS Q3 / CBS SPANS T3First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, White Label · Promo |
17 vinyl pressings of Raw are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, Australia, Europe, Italy and more. One of them is CBS SPANS 3, released September 5, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SPANS 3, SPANS T3, SPANS Q3, SPANS P3) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SPANS - 3 - A1 C TOWNHOUSE ∴ and SPANS - 3 - B1 c , Bside TOWNHOUSE ∴. 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.
