Vinyl pressings
by The B-52's · 1979
Planet Claire was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
WBS 49212 XAA 8943-S-JW1 #2Side A runout, etched
WBS 49212 XAA 8948-S-JW1 #1Side B runout, etched
(XAA 8943S)Label A
(XAA 8948S)Label B
WBS 49212 XAA 8943-S-WW1 #2 ·· ─◁Side A runout, etched
WBS 49212 XAA 8948-S-WW1 ─◁Side B runout, etched
XAA 8943SLabel A
XAA 8948SLabel B
WBS 49212 XAA 8943-S-LW1• 2 ✲✲Side A runout
WBS49212 XAA 8948-S-LW1• 1 ✲✲Side B runout
(XAA 8943S)Label A
(XAA 8948S)Label B
WBS 49212 XAA 8943-VI-D5-D5-LW1 **Mono side, Variant 1
WBS 49212 XAA 8943-VI-DJ-S-LW1 **Stereo side, Variant 1
WBS 49212 XAA 8943-VI-DJ-LW1• 1 ✻ ✻Mono side, Variant 2
WBS 49212 XAA 8943-S-LW1• 2 ✻ ✻Stereo side, Variant 2
WIP 6551 A-2U Jonz C IRunout A side, variant 1
WIP 6551 B-1U V 2Runout B side, variant 1
WIP 6551 A-2U Jonz A 1Runout A side, variant 2
WIP 6551 B-1U G 2Runout B side, variant 2
PWIP+6551+A3 JONZ ORSide A runout, etched
PWIP+6551+B2 ORSide B runout, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records FWB 0158First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records FWBP 0158First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records FWB 0158First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | France | Island Records 6172 879First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | Island Records 1320First year7", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited |
| 1979 | Philippines | Island Records IS-88-8005First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records WIP 6551First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records WIP 6551First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49212First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49212First year7", Single, Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono | 7", Single, Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49212First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49212First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records WIP 6551First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records p wip 6551First year7", Picture Disc, Single · Picture disc | 7", Picture Disc, Single · Picture disc |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records WIP 6551First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records G-23197", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WBS 492127" | 7" |
| 1980 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records WB 01587", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | France | Island Records 210612", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Promo, Reissue · Promo, Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Promo, Reissue · Promo, Limited |
| 1990 | France | Island Records 878 348-77", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
21 vinyl pressings of Planet Claire are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1979 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WBS 49212.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBS 49212, WIP 6551, p wip 6551, FWB 0158) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WBS 49212 XAA 8943-S-JW1 #2 and WBS 49212 XAA 8948-S-JW1 #1. 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.
