Vinyl pressings
by The Alarm · 1985
Strength was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 7 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.
IRT 104A B [A is hand-etched, B is scratched out] // 1∇420T 11 5Runout side A [machine-stamped], variant 1
IRT104 B //1∇420 T 11Runout side B [machine-stamped], variant 1
IRT 104A B [A is hand-etched, B is scratched out] // 1∇420T 11Runout side A [machine-stamped], variant 2
IRT104 B //1∇420 T 11 5Runout side B [machine-stamped], variant 2
IRM 104 A // 2 ∇ 420 T POUNDA TA1PEA Side Runout
IRM 104 A // 2 ∇ 420 T BILBO TAKE2B Side Runout
IRM 104 A // 2 ∇ 420 T POUNDA TA1PEA Side Runout
IRM 104 A // 2 ∇ 420 T BILBO TAKE2B Side Runout
IRM 104 A // 2 ▽ 420 T 2 POUNDA TA1PE 3A side runout, stamped/etched
IRM 104 B // 1 ▽ 420 T 1 1 8 BILBO TAPE ONEB side runout, stamped/etched
IRM104 A/2 420 T POUNDA TA1PESide A runout
IRM104 B 1 420TSide B runout
MC 18992E AM1 ◈-P-◈Side A runout, etched
MC 19172 AM4 ◈-P-◈Side B runout, etched
MC188992ESide A label
MC19172Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | I.R.S. Records ES 1089First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | I.R.S. Records ES 1089First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IRS-52736First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IRS-52736First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILSA 6550 / I.R.S. Records A 6550First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILSA 12.6550 / I.R.S. Records A 12.6550First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | New Zealand | I.R.S. Records ES 1089First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRMB 104 / I.R.S. Records IRM 104First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 104First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRMB 104 / I.R.S. Records IRM 104First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 104First year7", Advance | 7", Advance |
| 1985 | US | I.R.S. Records L33-17043First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-52736First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | US | I.R.S. Records L33-17068First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1985 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS 52736 / I.R.S. Records IRS-52736First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | UK | The Twenty First Century Recording Company 21C0727", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
26 vinyl pressings of Strength are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1985 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is I.R.S. Records IRT 104, released September 1, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IRT 104, IRMB 104, IRM 104, IRS-52736) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IRT 104A B [A is hand-etched, B is scratched out] // 1∇420T 11 5 and IRT104 B //1∇420 T 11. 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.
