Vinyl pressings
by The Cure · 1985
Close To Me 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.
34 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 12 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.
FICS 23 A // 2 ▽ 420 R ARUN 11Stamped A side - variant 1
FICS 23 B // 1 ▽ 420 R 11Stamped B side - variant 1
FICS 23 A // 1 ▽ 420 R ARUN 11Stamped A side - variant 2
FICS 23 B // 1 ▽ 420 R 1 1Stamped B side - variant 2
FICSX 23 A // 1 ▽420 R 11 5Runout side A - variant 1
FICSX 23 B // 1 ▽420 R 11 5Runout side B - variant 1
FICSX 23 A // 2 ▽420 R 11 4Runout side A - variant 2
FICSX 23 B // 2 ▽420 R 1Runout side B - variant 2
FICS 23 A // 2 ▽ 420 R 11Stamped A side Variant 1
FICS 23 B // 1 ▽ 420 RStamped B side Variant 1
FICS 23 A // 2 ▽ 420 R 11Stamped A side Variant 2
FICS 23 B // 2 ▽ 420 RStamped B side Variant 2
FICS 23 A // 2 ▽ 420 RStamped A side
FICS 23 B // 1 ▽ 420 RStamped B side
ARUNHand-etched A side
FICS 23 A//1 ▽420 R 1 1Stamped A side, variant 1
FICS 23 A//2 ▽420 R 11 2Stamped A side, variant 2
FICS 23 B//1 ▽420 R 1 1Stamped B side, variant 1
FICS 23 B//2 ▽420 R 11 2Stamped B side, variant 2
FICSX 23 A//2▽420 R 1Stamped A Side
FICSX 23 B//2▽420 R 1 1Stamped B Side
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 | WEA CURE-2 / Fiction Records CURE-2First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Canada | Elektra 96 95517First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Elektra 96 95517First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | Elektra 96 95517First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Polydor 883 361-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Polydor 883 361-1 / Fiction Records FICSX 23First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Germany | Fiction Records 883 361-7 / Fiction Records 883 361-7 MEFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Ireland | Polydor FICS 23 / Polydor 883 361-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Italy | Polydor 883 361-7 / Fiction Records 883 361-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Italy | Polydor 883 361-7 / Fiction Records 883 361-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Philippines | Polydor PRO-3749-A / Polydor PRO-3749-BFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Philippines | Not On LabelFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1985 | Philippines | Polydor EP-PRO-8419First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Spain | Polydor 883 361-7 / Fiction Records 883 361-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Fiction Records FICSX 23-DJ / Fiction Records 883 361-1First year12", 45 RPM, Advance, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Advance, Single |
35 vinyl pressings of Close To Me are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, France, Germany and more. One of them is Fiction Records FICS 23, released September 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FICS 23, FICSX 23, FICSG 23, FICSX 23-DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FICS 23 A // 2 ▽ 420 R ARUN 11 and FICS 23 B // 1 ▽ 420 R 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.
