Vinyl pressings
by Stan Ridgway · 1986
The Big Heat was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. 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 1986, the album's first year, in 10 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.
IRS 5118 AM4.. ◈-P-◈Side A runout variant 1
IRS 5118 AM3.. ◈-P-◈Side B runout variant 1
IRS 5118 AM3⦁ ◈-P-◈Side A runout variant 2
IRS 5118 AM4⦁ ◈-P-◈Side B runout variant 2
IRS 5118 AM2.. ▣-G-▣Side A runout
IRS 5118 AM1. ▣-G-▣Side B runout
IRS5118Side A label
IRS5119Side B label
MIRF̶ G 1008 A // 1 ▽ 420 T BILBO TAPE oneSide A runout
MIRGF̶ 1008 B // 1 ▽ 420 T BILBO TAPE oneSide B runout
MIRG# 1008 A//1∇ 420 T BILBO TAPEoneA-side runout
MIRG# 1008 B//1∇ 420 T BILBO TAPEoneB-side runout
MIRG 1008 A*A-side label
MIRG 1008 B*B-side label
Δ MX 216891 ELPS 4532-1Side A
Δ MX 216892 ELPS 4532- 2Side B
Δ MX 216891 ELPS 4532-1Side A, runout
Δ MX 216892 ELPS 4532- 2Side B, runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IRS-5637First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IRS-5637First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILP 26874 / I.R.S. Records 26874First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | I.R.S. Records ILP 26874First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | I.R.S. Records 28AP 3227First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | New Zealand | I.R.S. Records ELPS 4532First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | New Zealand | I.R.S. Records ELPS 4532LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | Portugal | I.R.S. Records ILP 26874First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Spain | Epic 40-2687 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Spain | Illegal Records ILP 26874First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | I.R.S. Records MIRG 1008 / I.R.S. Records irs 5637First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | I.R.S. Records MIRG 1008 / I.R.S. Records irs 5637First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-5637First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-5637First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Australia | I.R.S. Records ELPS 4532First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILP 460952 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of The Big Heat are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is I.R.S. Records IRS-5637.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IRS-5637, MIRG 1008, ELPS 4532, ILP 26874) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IRS 5118 AM4.. ◈-P-◈ and IRS 5118 AM3.. ◈-P-◈. 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.
