Vinyl pressings
by Tom Waits · 1987
Franks Wild Years 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.
21 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 16 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.
ST-IL-876459-A-DMM SP1-1 MASTERDISK DMMSide A runout, variant 1
ST-IL 876460-B-DMM MASTERDISK SPSide B runout, variant 1
ST-IL-876459-A-DMM SP1-1 MASTERDISK DMMSide A runout, variant 2
ST-IL 876460-B-DMM MASTERDISK SP1-1Side B runout, variant 2
0- △17413 B-28353-A-DMM ST-IL-876459-A-DMM SP1-2 MASTERDISK DMM SP-ARSide A runout, etched
0- ST-IL 876460-B-DMM B-28354-B-DMM MASTERDISK SP1-2 SP-AR △17413-XSide B runout, etched
(ITWE scratched out) ITW3 A11Etched side A runout
('ILPS 9863' scratched out) A//1 ▽420 EXStamped side A runout
ITW3 B11Etched side B runout
('ILPS 9863' scratched out) B//1 ▽420 EXStamped side B runout
DMX-67001 W2ARunout, Side A
W2A DMX-67002Runout, Side B
SMX-67001Label, Side A
SMX-67002Label, Side B
RCA 670.8009-A 1S A1Side A - stamped
RCA 670.8009-B 1S A1Side B - stamped
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 | Brazil | Island Records 670.8009 / Island Records 63.001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | Island Records 63.001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Canada | Island Records ISL 1129LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Canada | Island Records ISL-1129First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Island Records ISL-1129LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Europe | Island Records 208 216First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | Island Records VG 71455 / Virgin VG 71455First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Ireland | Island Records 90572-1 / Island Records 7 90572-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Ireland | Island Records ITW 3First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Israel | Island Records CAN ITW 3First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | Island Records ITW 3First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Portugal | Island Records ITW 3First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Scandinavia | Island Records ITW-3 / Island Records ITW3First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Spain | Island Records ITW3 / Island Records 5F 208216First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Island Records ITW 3First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Netherlands | Music On Vinyl MOVLP39212", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, White Label, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, White Label, Stereo |
| 2011 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP392LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | US | UMe B0037071-01 / Island Records B0037071-01LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | Europe | Island Records 00602448898333 / UMe 00602448898333LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2023 | Europe | UMe 00602448898333 / Island Records 00602448898333LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | US | Island Records B0037071-01 / UMe B0037071-01LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Island RecordsLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 208 216LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 208 216 / Island Records ITW 3LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 208 216LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 208 216LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
37 vinyl pressings of Franks Wild Years are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1987 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Japan, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is Island Records 90572-1, released August 17, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 90572-1, ITW 3, R28D-2079, L 38655) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-IL-876459-A-DMM SP1-1 MASTERDISK DMM and ST-IL 876460-B-DMM MASTERDISK SP. 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.
