Vinyl pressings
by The Stranglers · 1986
Dreamtime was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 10 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.
EPC-26648-A-1 ⋀Runout Side A, variant 1, etched except '⋀' stamped
EPC-26648-B-2 JA ⋀Runout Side B, variant 1, etched except '⋀' stamped
EPC-26648-A2 JA ⋀Runout Side A, variant 2, etched except '⋀' stamped
EPC-26648-B-1 ⋀ 1 1 JARunout Side B, variant 2, etched except '⋀' stamped
1126648-A₂ ORLAKERunout Side A, etched
1126648-B₂ ORLAKERunout Side B, etched
AL-40607-1G G1 DSide A runout, variant 1
P (MP) BL-40607-1ASide B runout, variant 1
AL-40607-1G D G1 B7Side A runout, variant 2
P (MP) M BL-40607-1A C9Side B runout, variant 2
90745-A 1A2HZ DM-3Side A runout, variant 1
90745-B 1A2HZ DM-1Side B runout, variant 1
90745-A 1A2HZ DM-3Side A runout, variant 2
90745-B 1A2HZ DM-3Side B runout, variant 2
△ MX216651 ELPS 4517-1Side A runout
△ MX216652 ELPS 4517-2Side B runout
MX216651Side A label
MX216652Side B label
01-26648-4A-1 ASide A runout, variant 1
01-26648-2B-1 ASide B runout, variant 1
01-26648-2A-1 ASide A runout, variant 2
01-26648-4B-1 ASide B runout, variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Greece | Epic EPC 26648First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Israel | CBS CBS 26648First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Portugal | Epic EPC 26648First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Spain | Epic EPC 26648 / Epic EPC 26648 (SP)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Epic EPC 26648First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Epic EPC 11 26648First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1986 | UK | Epic EPC 26648LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1986 | US | Epic BFE 40607 / Epic E 40607First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Canada | Epic PEC 90745 / Epic 90745First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4517First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Epic EPC 26648First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | Epic 28 3P-789First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | Epic 28 3P-789First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Spain | Epic EPC 463366 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1989 | Spain | Epic EPC 463366 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Epic 463366 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Epic 463366 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Epic EPC 463366 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Epic 463366 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of Dreamtime are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1986 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Epic EPC 26648.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EPC 26648, EPC 11 26648, BFE 40607, PEC 90745) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EPC-26648-A-1 ⋀ and EPC-26648-B-2 JA ⋀. 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.
