Vinyl pressings
by Stan Ridgway · 1989
Mosquitos was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1989, 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.
MASTERDISK B-34838-SRI-DMM GHS-2-4216-A-SRI-DMM SPI-2 △24566 0- SPA2Side A runout, etched
B-34869-SRI-DMM GHS-2-4216-B-SRI-DMM SP1-2 SPA2 O- △24566-XSide B runout, etched
GHS-2-4216-A-SR1-DMM SP 1-1 MASTERDISKSide A runout, etched
GHS-2-4216-B-SR1-DMM SP 1-1Side B runout, etched
Å MX 252419 LIB5195•1Side A runout
Å MX252420 LIB5195•2Side B runout
MX252419Side A label
MX252420Side B label
GHS-2-4216-A-SR1-DMM SP1-4 SP1-4 MASTERDISK. CRRunout side A
GHS-2-4216-A-SR1-DMM SP1-4 SP1-4Runout side B
XGHS-2-4216-A-SR1-DMM SP1-4 SP1-4 MASTERDISK. CRRunout side A
XGHS-2-4216-B-SR1-DMM SP1-4 SP1-4Runout side B
2410071-A1 1Runout side A, stamped; "1" etched
2410071-B1 1Runout side B, stamped; "1" etched
064-24 1007 1 ALabel side A
064-24 1007 1 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 24216First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 24216First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Europe | I.R.S. Records 064 24 1007 1 / I.R.S. Records 24 1007 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Europe | I.R.S. Records 064 24 1007 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | France | I.R.S. Records 064 24 1007 1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1989 | Italy | I.R.S. Records 64 2410071First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | UK & Europe | I.R.S. Records EIRSA 1010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | US | Geffen Records ghs 24216First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | US | Geffen Records ghs 24216First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Australia | I.R.S. Records LIB 5195 / Liberation Records LIB 5195First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | I.R.S. Records 07772410071LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of Mosquitos are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in US, Australia, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Geffen Records ghs 24216.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ghs 24216, LIB 5195, XGHS 24216, 064 24 1007 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MASTERDISK B-34838-SRI-DMM GHS-2-4216-A-SRI-DMM SPI-2 △24566 0- SPA2 and B-34869-SRI-DMM GHS-2-4216-B-SRI-DMM SP1-2 SPA2 O- △24566-X. 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.
