Vinyl pressings
by Thompson Twins · 1987
Close To The Bone 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.
24 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 18 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.
A - 2 F AL 8449 SA HRM 1 STERLINGSide A - Variant 1
B - ⊳ AL 8449 SB HRM 2Side B - Variant 1
A- 2 ⊳ AL 8449 SA HRM 1 STERLING TJSide A - Variant 2
B - ⊳ AL 8449 SB HRM 2 STERLING TJSide B - Variant 2
AL 8449 SA ES1 Emw STERLING TJSide A Etched ("STERLING" is stamped)
AL 8449 SB ES1 Emw STERLING TJSide B Etched ("STERLING" is stamped)
AL-8449Side A Label
AL-8449Side B Label
(Machine Stamped): STERLING (Handwritten) TJ A - 2 ⊳ AL 8449 SA HRM 1Side A
(Machine Stamped): STERLING (Handwritten) TJ A - ⊳ AL 8449 SB HRM 1Side B
AL-8449Side A Label
AL-8449Side B Label
AL 8449 SA RCA1 I STERLING TJ A1 DRunout side A
AL 8449 SB RCA1 I STERLING TJ A1 HRunout side B
AL-8449-SASide A label inside parenthesis
AL-8449-SBSide B label inside parenthesis
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 | Argentina | Arista TLP-90043First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australia & New Zealand | Arista SFL1 0155First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | Arista 110.8016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Arista AL-8449First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Arista AL-8449LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Greece | Arista VG 60061First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Israel | Arista BAN 208 143 / Hed-Arzi BAN 208 143First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | Arista 208 143First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Italy | Arista 208 143First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Japan | Arista 28RS-21 / Arista 258 143-1First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | Japan | Arista 28RS-21 / Arista 258 143-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | New Zealand | Arista SFL1 0155First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Philippines | Arista AL8449 / OctoArts International, Inc. RTLP16097First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Portugal | Arista 208143First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | South Africa | Arista ASTC 191First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | UK | Vinyl 180 VIN180LP136LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2018 | UK | Vinyl 180 VIN180LP137LP, Album, Reissue, LP, All Media, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Reissue, LP, All Media, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited |
28 vinyl pressings of Close To The Bone are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1987 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, Peru, Europe, South Korea and more. One of them is Arista AL 8449, released March 26, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 8449, AL-8449, 22.48.800024.9, 208 143) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A - 2 F AL 8449 SA HRM 1 STERLING and B - ⊳ AL 8449 SB HRM 2. 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.
