Vinyl pressings
by The Icicle Works · 1988
Blind was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 6 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.
IWA2A ✱B̶E̶G̶A̶ ̶9̶3̶ ̶A̶-̶1̶✱ MT.1 DAMONT AASide A runout, etched - variant 1
IW2AB ✱B̶E̶G̶A̶ ̶9̶3̶ ̶B̶-̶1̶✱ MT.1 DAMONT AASide B runout, etched - variant 1
IWA-2-A¹ ✱B̶E̶G̶A̶ ̶9̶3̶ ̶A̶-̶1̶✱ 2 MT. DAMONT ASide A runout, etched - variant 2
IWA2-B¹ ✱B̶E̶G̶A̶ ̶9̶3̶ ̶A̶-̶1̶✱ MT. 1 DAMONT FSide B runout, etched - variant 2
IWA 2 A*Side A, Matrix, Label
IWA 2 B*Side B, Matrix, Label
IW-2A* A-1 * DAMONT ASide A runout
IW-2B* B-1* DAMONT CSide B runout
AY25-18-ASide A label
AY25-18-BSide B label
836-004-1A SNB 230 EL DM-3Side A runout
836-004-1B SNB 230 EL DM-3Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Belgium | Beggars Banquet BEG 99002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Vertigo 836 004-1 / Beggars Banquet 836 004-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Italy | Ariola 209 044 / Beggars Banquet 209 044First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Italy | Ariola 209 044 / Beggars Banquet 209 044First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Spain | Fonomusic 89.2655First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | Beggars Banquet IW 2First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1988 | Japan | ALTY AY25-18 / Apollon International AY25-18First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Japan | ALTY AY25-18 / Apollon International AY25-18First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | Beggars Banquet IWA 2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | Beggars Banquet IWA2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of Blind are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, Japan, Belgium, Canada and more. One of them is Beggars Banquet IWA 2, released May 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IWA 2, IWA2, IW 2, AY25-18) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IWA2A ✱B̶E̶G̶A̶ ̶9̶3̶ ̶A̶-̶1̶✱ MT.1 DAMONT AA and IW2AB ✱B̶E̶G̶A̶ ̶9̶3̶ ̶B̶-̶1̶✱ MT.1 DAMONT AA. 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.
