Vinyl pressings
by The Dukes Of Stratosphear · 1985
25 O'Clock 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.
7 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 7 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.
WOW 1 A-1U-1- 1 1 < TO BE TAKEN TWICE DALI TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 1
TOWNHOUSE WOW 1 B-2U-1- 1 1 2 I CAN SEE FOUR MOLESRunout side B, variant 1
WOW 1 A-2U-1- 1⇀1 TO BE TAKEN TWICE DALI TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 2
WOW 1 B-2U-1- 1⇀1 I CAN SEE FOUR MOLES TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 2
DM 206976 A-1/85 S IIRunout A
DM 206976 B-1/85 S IIRunout B
DM 206 976 ALabel A
DM 206 976 BLabel B
VLEP 402 A SNB EL DM 3Runout side A
VLEP 402 B 2 SNB DM 6Runout side B
M6 349021 2 70365 A ƮRunout Side A
M6 349022 2 70365 B ƮRunout Side B
VG WOW 1 ARunout side 1
VG WOW 1 BRunout side 2
VG WOW 1-ALabel, side 1
VG WOW 1-BLabel, side 2
WOW-1-A 17-4-85Side A Runout Groove Etching
WOW-1-B 17-4-85Side B Runout Groove Etching
WOW 1-ASide A Label
WOW 1-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Canada | Virgin VLEP 402First year12", Mini-Album, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Mini-Album, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | France | Virgin 70365First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | Virgin 062-VG WOW 1 / Virgin WOW 1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | Virgin WOW 1First year12", Mini-Album, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Mini-Album, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Virgin WOW 1First year12", Mini-Album | 12", Mini-Album |
| 1985 | UK | Virgin WOW 1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Virgin WOW 112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 206 976 / Virgin 206 976-250First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | South Korea | Yeh Eum Records YVPL 089 / Virgin WOW 1Mini-Album, 12" | Mini-Album, 12" |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | UK | Ape House APELP02312", Mini-Album, Reissue | 12", Mini-Album, Reissue |
| 2019 | UK | Ape House APELP02312", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of 25 O'Clock are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1985 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, Europe, Canada, France and more. One of them is Virgin WOW 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WOW 1, 206 976, VLEP 402, 70365) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WOW 1 A-1U-1- 1 1 < TO BE TAKEN TWICE DALI TOWNHOUSE and TOWNHOUSE WOW 1 B-2U-1- 1 1 2 I CAN SEE FOUR MOLES. 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.
