Vinyl pressings
by Time Bandits · 1985
Fiction 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.
10 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
CBS 17-25987 1A1 670 03Side A runout, variant 1
CBS 17-25987-2B1/ B2 670 03Side B runout, variant 1
[not entered]Side A runout, variant 2
CBS 17-25987-1B1 670 03Side B runout, variant 2
CBS 26937 A1Etched Side A
CBS 26937 B1Etched Side B
P (AP) 0 AL40397-2B STERLINGA side runout etch, exc 0 STERLING stamp
P (AP) 0 BL40397-1B STERLINGB side runout etch, exc 0 STERLING stamp
△ MX 216609 SBP8134-1Side 1 runout hand etched
△ MX 216609-C SBP8134-2Side 2 runout hand etched
MX216609Side 1 label
MX216610Side 2 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 | Australia | CBS SBP 8134First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Canada | Columbia FC 40397First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 25987First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | CBS ALP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | New Zealand | CBS SBP8134First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Portugal | CBS CBS 25987First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | South Africa | CBS ASF 3088First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Spain | CBS CBS 25987First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | CBS CBS 26937First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Columbia BFC 40397 / Columbia C 40397First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Venezuela | CBS CS-10543First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Yugoslavia | CBS CBS 25987 / Suzy CBS 25987LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Fiction are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Europe, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is CBS CBS 25987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CBS 25987, CBS 26937, BFC 40397, SBP 8134) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CBS 17-25987 1A1 670 03 and CBS 17-25987-2B1/ B2 670 03. 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.
