Vinyl pressings
by Tracey Ullman · 1984
Helpless was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. 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 1984, the album's first year, in 7 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.
BUY 211 A3 SOUND CLINIC - GD ORunout A variant 1
BUY 211 B1 Sound clinic ARunout B variant 1
BUY 211 A3 11 SOUND CLINIC - GD ARunout A variant 2
Buy-211-B1 1 2 A Sound clinicRunout B variant 2
PBuy+211+A4 SOUND CLINIC ORLAKESide A, etched
PBuy+211+B4 ORLAKESide B, etched
BUY-IT-211-A1 SOUND CLININIC-GD VRunout side A, etched / stamped
BUY-IT-211-B1 VRunout side B, etched / stamped
SMX 63007Runout A, etched
SMX 63008Runout B, etched
DM 106924 A - 1/84 S I IRunout Side A
DM 106924 B - 1/84 S I IRunout Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Stiff Records K 9545First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Stiff Records 106924First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | Stiff Records 601 546 / Stiff Records 601 546First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.14 241 / Stiff Records 6.14241 ACFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Italy | Stiff Records STNP 204First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Stiff Records K 9545First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Scandinavia | Stiff Records BUY 211 / Stiff Records BUY-211First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Stiff Records Buy It 211First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 211 / Stiff Records Buy 211First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Stiff Records PBUY 211First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Stereo · Limited, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Stereo · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1985 | Japan | Stiff Records VIPX-1804 / Stiff Records BUY 2117", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of Helpless are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Australia, Europe, Germany and more. One of them is Stiff Records BUY 211, released October 15, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUY 211, PBUY 211, Buy It 211, K 9545) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUY 211 A3 SOUND CLINIC - GD O and BUY 211 B1 Sound clinic A. 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.
