Vinyl pressings
by The Christians · 1987
When The Fingers Point was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1987, 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.
* IS - 335.A.1 * MT.Side A runout, variant 1
* IS - 335.B.1 *Side B runout, variant 1
* IS - 335.A.1 * MT. 4Side A runout, variant 2
* IS - 335.B.1 * 1 2Side B runout, variant 2
12ISR335 A▽1▽420 S 1.1 2 M3Side A runout
12ISR335 B▽1▽420 S 1 1 2 CTSSide B runout
12 ISR 335-ASide A label
12 ISR 335-BSide B label
*IS-355 A1* MT.A side runout etched
*IS -355 B1*B side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia & New Zealand | Island Records X-14528 / Island Records 12 IS 335First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1987 | Australia & New Zealand | Island Records K-435 / Island Records IS 335First year7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1987 | Europe | Island Records 109 415First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Island Records 609 415First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Spain | Island Records 3A 609415First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Spain | Island Records 1A 109415First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Island Records IS 335First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Island Records 12ISX 335First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Island Records 12IS 335First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Island Records ISB 335First year7", Limited Edition · Limited | 7", Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1987 | UK | Island Records 12ISR 335First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Island Records IS 335First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Island Records DMD 120812", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Island Records 0-9663812", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
14 vinyl pressings of When The Fingers Point are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, Australia & New Zealand, Europe, Germany and more. One of them is Island Records IS 335.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IS 335, 12ISX 335, 12IS 335, ISB 335) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, * IS - 335.A.1 * MT. and * IS - 335.B.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.
