Vinyl pressings
by Tom Robinson · 1983
War Baby was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 5 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.
NIC 2 A1 ARUN DAMONTRunout side A - variant 1
NIC 2 B DAMONTRunout side B - variant 1
NIC 2 A1 ARUN 1 DAMONT SRunout side A - variant 2
NIC 2 B1 1 DAMONT AARunout side B - variant 2
NICX 2-A1 DAMONTA side etched
NICX 2-B2 DAMONTB side etched
NIC 2 A1 ARUN DAMONT CEA-side - etched, variant 1
NIC 2 B1 2 DAMONT BLB-side - etched, variant 1
NIC 2 A1 ARUN DAMONT AHA-side - etched, variant 2
NIC 2 B1 ARUN DAMONT BFB-side - etched, variant 2
SLM △8080 1-1 Q R-13519-SH1 7-29130-BAA-2674-S-SH1 [artisan logo] SLMRunout Etchings (Both Sides)
BAA 2674SLabels
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 91307First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Ireland | Panic Records NIC 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Netherlands | RCA PB 68160First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Panic Records NIC 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Panic Records NICT 2First year12" | 12" |
| 1983 | UK | Panic Records NIC 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Panic Records NIC 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Panic Records NIC 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | Geffen Records 7-29130First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | RCA Victor 1042857", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia & New Zealand | RCA Victor 1042857", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | France | RCA Victor PB 615447", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Geffen Records PRO-A-220912", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Geffen Records 7-291307", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of War Baby are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Ireland, Netherlands and more. One of them is Panic Records NIC 2.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NIC 2, NICT 2, 7-29130, PB 68160) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, NIC 2 A1 ARUN DAMONT and NIC 2 B DAMONT. 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.
