Vinyl pressings
by Tom Waits · 1988
Big Time was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 13 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.
DM 209363 A-2/9-88 CSide A runout stamped, variant 1
DM 209363 B-1/9-88Side B runout stamped, variant 1
DM 209363 A-1/9-88 IIISide A runout stamped, variant 2
007 DM 209 363-B2Side B runout stamped, variant 2
S 209 363 ALabel A
S 209 363 BLabel B
DM 209363 A-2/9-88 C IISide A runout stamped II edged
007 DM 209 363-B2Side B runout stamped
S 209 363 ALabel A
S 209 363 BLabel B
ITW 4 A-1U-1-1Runout side A stamped
ITW 4 B-1U-1-1Runout side B stamped
ITW 4-ALabel side A
ITW 4-BLabel side B
ST-IL-887093A DMM SP 1-1 MASTERDISKSide A runout etched, variant 1
ST-IL-887094B DMM SP 1-3 MASTERDISKSide B runout etched, variant 1
ST-IL-887093A DMM SP 1-1 MASTERDISKSide A runout etched, variant 2
ST-IL-887094B DMM SP 1-1 MASTERDISKSide B runout etched, variant 2
ST-IL-887093A DMM SP 1-1 MASTERDISKSide A runout, etched
ST-IL-887094B DMM SP 1-3 MASTERDISKSide B runout, etched
ST-IL-887093-SPSide A label
ST-IL-887094-SPSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | Island Records L38962 / Island Records SMX-70695First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Canada | Island Records ISL 1203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Island Records ISL 1203LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1988 | Europe | Island Records 209 363First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | Island Records 209 363First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | Island Records 209 363First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | Island Records VG-71477 / Island Records VG 71477First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Israel | Island Records BAN ITW 4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Italy | Island Records ITW 4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Japan | Island Records R28D-2119 / Polystar R28D-2119First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Japan | Island Records R28D-2119First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Portugal | Island Records 209363First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | Island Records 5C 209 363First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Sweden | Island Records ITW 4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Sweden | Island Records ITW-4First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Unknown | Island Records 7 90987-1 / Island Records 90987-1LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2016 | US | Island Records 7 90987-1 / Island Records 90987-1LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
24 vinyl pressings of Big Time are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1988 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in Europe, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Island Records 209 363.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 209 363, ITW 4, 7 90987-1, L38962) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DM 209363 A-2/9-88 C and DM 209363 B-1/9-88. 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.
