Vinyl pressings
by Tracey Ullman · 1984
Sunglasses 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.
13 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 8 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-IT-205-A1 BilBo.TapeoneRunout side A, variant 1
BUY-IT-205-B2Runout side B, variant 1
BUY-IT-205-A1 BilBo.Tapeone ΛRunout side A, variant 2
BUY-IT-205-B2 I∆ ΛRunout side B, variant 2
BUY 205 A2 A BILBO BOPPA TAPE ONESide A runout, etched, stamped variant 1
BUY 205 B2 BILBO. TAPE ONESide B runout, etched, stamped variant 1
BUY 205 A1 A BILBO BOPPA TAPE ONE ΛSide A runout, etched, stamped variant 2
BUY 205 B1 BILBO. TAPE ONE ΛSide B runout, etched, stamped variant 2
P BOY - 205 - A-1 ORLAKE A BILBO BOPPA TAPE oneRunout side A
P BOY - 205 - B-1 ORLAKE A BILBO TAPE oneRunout side B
BUY⋅DJ⋅205 3 A.1 < BilBo.Tape OneRunout A
BUY-DJ-205-3⋅AA1 < BilBo.TapeOneRunout B
SMX62501 P2A 3:00Side A etched
SMX62502 P2A 2:20Side B etched
DM 106663 A 1/84S IIRunout side A
DM 106663 B-1/84S IIRunout side B
S 106 663 ALabel side A
S 106 663 BLabel 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-9473First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | Stiff Records 106 663First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Stiff Records 106663First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | France | Stiff Records 106663First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Stiff Records Buy it 205 / TELDEC 6.20361 AEFirst year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.14 177 / Stiff Records 6.14177First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Ireland | Stiff Records BUY 205First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Portugal | Stiff Records 522012First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Scandinavia | Stiff Records BUY 205 / Stiff Records Buy 205First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Stiff Records Buy it 205 / Stiff Records BUYIT 205First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 205 / Stiff Records Buy 205First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Stiff Records P Buy 205First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1984 | UK | Stiff Records BUYDJ 205First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
13 vinyl pressings of Sunglasses are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Australia, Europe, France and more. One of them is Stiff Records Buy it 205.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use Buy it 205, BUY 205, P Buy 205, BUYDJ 205) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUY-IT-205-A1 BilBo.Tapeone and BUY-IT-205-B2. 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.
