Vinyl pressings
by The Communards · 1987
Red 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.
30 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 19 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.
LONLP 39 A // 2 ∇ 420 E 1A side runout, stamped, Variant 1
LONLP 39 B // 1 ∇ 420 E 1 1 2B side runout, stamped, Variant 1
LONLP 39 A // 2 ∇ 420 E 12 13A side runout, stamped, Variant 2
LONLP 39 B // 2 ∇ 420 E 11 9B side runout, stamped, Variant 2
LONLP 39 A//1▽420 E 1 1 2Runout, Side A
LONLP 39 B//▽420 E 1 1 1Runout, Side B
PACLZ 4107Label, Side A
PACLZ 4108Label, Side B
LONLP 39 A // 2 ∇ 420 E 12 16Side A runout
LONLP 39 B // 2 ∇ 420 E 11 11Side B runout
MCA 7378 ASR-3 [Artisan logo] ◈-P-◈Side A runout etched
MCA 7379 ASR-4 [Artisan logo] ◈-P-◈Side B runout etched
V 〄 L28P-1256A 111✠ KSide 1
L28P-1256B 112✠Side 2
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 | Australasia | London Records 828 066-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | London Records 828 066-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Canada | London Records 828 066-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | London Records 828 066-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | London Records 828 066-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | Germany | Metronome 828 074-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Metronome 828 074-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Germany | Metronome 828 074-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | London Records LP 828066-1First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1987 | Hungary | London Records SLPXL 37179 / Gong SLPXL 37179First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Ireland | London Records LONLP 39First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Ireland | London Records LONLP 39First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Israel | London Records 828 066-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Italy | London Records 828 066-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | London Records 828 066-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Worldwide | London Records LMS5521804LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 2022 | Worldwide | London Records LMS5521756LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Compilation, Misprint, All Media, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Compilation, Misprint, All Media, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
37 vinyl pressings of Red are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1987 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is London Records LONLP 39, released October 5, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LONLP 39, MCA-42106, L28P 1256, 828 066-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LONLP 39 A // 2 ∇ 420 E 1 and LONLP 39 B // 1 ∇ 420 E 1 1 2. 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.
