Vinyl pressings
by The Alarm · 1984
The Deceiver was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 9 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.
IRSX 103 A2 BILBO TAPE ONERunout side A, etched variant 1
IRSX 103 B2 BILBO TAPE ONERunout side B, etched variant 1
IRSX 103 A1 BILBO TAPE ONERunout side A, etched variant 2
IRSX 103 B1 BILBO TAPE ONERunout side B, etched variant 2
IRS - 103 A2 Bilbo Tape OneVariant 1, Runout (Etched) Side A
IRS - 103 B1 Bilbo Tape OneVariant 1, Runout (Etched) Side B
IRS - 103 A1 Bilbo Tape OneVariant 2, Runout (Etched) Side A
IRS - 103 B2 Bilbo Tape OneVariant 2, Runout (Etched) Side B
IRS - 103 A2 Bilbo Tape OneSide A runout, etched
IRS - 103 B1 Bilbo Tape OneSide B runout, etched
IRS · 103A A1 toneSide C runout, etched
IRS . 103A AA1 I̶R̶S̶ ̶3̶0̶1̶A̶ ̶A̶A̶1̶ ⋀Side D runout, etched / stamped
IRS 103-ASide A label
IRS 103-BSide B label
IRS 103-ALabel Side A
IRS 103-BLabel Side B
IR-09929-ASide A label
IR-09929-BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | I.R.S. Records ES 966First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IR-9929First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Ireland | I.R.S. Records IRS 103First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress |
| 1984 | Netherlands | I.R.S. Records A-4295 / I.R.S. Records ILSA 4295First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Portugal | I.R.S. Records IRS A 4295First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRS 103First year7", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1984 | US | I.R.S. Records IR9929First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | US | I.R.S. Records SP-70975 / I.R.S. Records SP70975First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | I.R.S. Records IR-9929First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records AM-IR09929 / I.R.S. Records AM-IR099297", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRSX 103First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILSA 12-4295 / I.R.S. Records A 12.4295First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | I.R.S. Records ILSA 4295 / I.R.S. Records ILS A 4295First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRS 103First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRS 103A / I.R.S. Records IRS 103First year7", 45 RPM, Single, 7", Single, All Media, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, 7", Single, All Media, Limited Edition · Limited |
16 vinyl pressings of The Deceiver are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Europe, Canada and more. One of them is I.R.S. Records IRSX 103, released March 1, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IRSX 103, IRS 103, IRS 103A, IR9929) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IRSX 103 A2 BILBO TAPE ONE and IRSX 103 B2 BILBO TAPE ONE. 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.
