Vinyl pressings
by The Jesus And Mary Chain · 1987
Darklands 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.
13 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 3 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.
NEG 29T A / 1▽420 U 11 6Side A runout, variant 1
NEG 29T B / 1▽420 U 11 6Side B runout, variant 1
NEG 29T A / 1▽420 U 11 2Side A runout, variant 2
NEG 29T B / 1▽420 U 11 5Side B runout, variant 2
✴ NEG-29(T)·A·2 ✴ ⇀ MT. DAMONTRunout Side A, etched
✴ NEG-29(T)·B·2 ✴ ⇀ MT. DAMONTRunout Side B, etched
NEG29 TE A // 1▽420USide A, stamped
NEG29 TE B // 1▽420USide B, stamped
NEG 29 A//1▽420U 11 6Side A, stamped
NEG 29 B//1▽420U 11 2Side B, stamped
NEG 29 A // 1 ∇ 420 U 1 1 6Runout stamped side A
NEG 29 B // 1 ∇ 420 U 1 1Runout stamped side B
✶ NEG-29.A-2 ✶ 1 MT. DAMONT BRunout A, etched
✶ NEG-29-B-1 ✶ 1 MT. DAMONT DRunout B, 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 | Europe | Blanco Y Negro 248 141-0First year12", Single, Stereo | 12", Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | WEA 248 142-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Blanco Y Negro NEG 29 / Blanco Y Negro 248142-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Blanco Y Negro NEG 29 / Blanco Y Negro 248142-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Blanco Y Negro NEG 29 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | Blanco Y Negro NEG 29 / Blanco Y Negro 248142-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Blanco Y Negro NEG 29First year7", Single, Special Edition | 7", Single, Special Edition |
| 1987 | UK | Blanco Y Negro NEG 29 / Blanco Y Negro 248142-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Blanco Y Negro NEG 29 F / Blanco Y Negro NEG 29First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1987 | Europe | Blanco Y Negro NEG 29T / Blanco Y Negro 248141-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Blanco Y Negro NEG 29TF / Blanco Y Negro NEG 29TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1987 | UK | Blanco Y Negro NEG 29T / Blanco Y Negro 248141-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Blanco Y Negro NEG-29-TE12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | UK | Blanco Y Negro NEG 29TE / Blanco Y Negro 248140-0First year10", 45 RPM, EP | 10", 45 RPM, EP |
14 vinyl pressings of Darklands are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, Europe, Germany. One of them is Blanco Y Negro NEG 29TF, released October 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NEG 29TF, NEG 29T, NEG 29TE, NEG 29) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, NEG 29T A / 1▽420 U 11 6 and NEG 29T B / 1▽420 U 11 6. 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.
