Vinyl pressings
by U2 · 1981
October was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
37 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
ILPS 9680 A-1U TOWN HOUSESide A runout, variant 1
ILPS 9680 B-1U TOWN HOUSESide B runout, variant 1
ILPS 9680 A-1U 2 1 TOWN HOUSESide A runout, variant 2
ILPS 9680 B-1U 2 1 TOWN HOUSESide B runout, variant 2
ILPS 9680 A-1U TOWN HOUSE 20 2Side A runout stamped, variant 1
ILPS 9680 B-1U TOWN HOUSE 17 2Side B runout stamped, variant 1
ILPS 9680 A-3U TOWN HOUSESide A runout stamped, variant 2
ILPS 9680 B-1U TOWN HOUSESide B runout stamped, variant 2
ILPS 9680 A-3U TOWN HOUSE 1 7Side A runout stamped, variant 1
ILPS 9680 B-3U TOWN HOUSE 1 7Side B runout stamped, variant 1
TOWN HOUSE ILPS 9680 A-3USide A runout stamped, variant 2
ILPS 9680 B-3U-1-1Side B runout stamped, variant 2
ILPS 9680 A-3U TOWN HOUSE 1 2 4Side A runout, variant 1
ILPS 9680 B-5U-1-2-27 GD TOWN HOUSESide B runout, variant 1
ILPS 9680 A-3U 43 (*N) TOWN HOUSESide A runout, variant 2
ILPS 9680 B-5U-1-2-20 GDSide B runout, variant 2
ILPS 9680 A-1U TOWN HOUSE 1 7Runout side A
ILPS 9680 B-1U TOWN HOUSE 1 4Runout side B
ILPS 9680-ASide A label
ILPS 9680-BSide B label
4 TOWN HOUSE ILPS 9680 A-3USide A runout stamped
ILPS 9680 B-5U-1-2-3Side B runout stamped
ILPS 9680-ASide A label
ILPS 9680-BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Island Records L37670 / Island Records L-37670First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | Island Records L37670 / Island Records L-37670First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | Island Records L 37670 / Island Records L-37670First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | Island Records IL.37670LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Canada | Island Records XILP 9680First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Island Records XILP 9680First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Island Records XILP 9680First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1981 | France | Island Records 6313 247First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Island Records 6313 247First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Island Records 6313 247LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Island Records 204185LP, Test Pressing, Album · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, Album · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Ireland | CBS CBS 85369First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Israel | Island Records ILPS 129680 / Island Records BAN 129680First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19680First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19680First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Argentina | Island Records 842 297-1 / Island Records 27516LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1990 | Brazil | Island Records 670.4042 / Island Records 000123LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1990 | Mexico | Island Records LPR 25021 / Island Records 842 297 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1990 | US | Island Records 422-842 297-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1993 | Spain | Island Records I-204 185LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | UK | Island Records L 37670LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2006 | UK | Island Records L 37670LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2006 | UK | Island Records L 37670LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2008 | Europe | Mercury 1761679 / Island Records 1761679LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2008 | US | Island Records B0010829-01 / Interscope Records B0010829-01LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2008 | US | Island Records B0010829-01 / Interscope Records B0010829-01LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe | Island Records 1761679LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2019 | Europe | Mercury 7792804 / Island Records 1761679LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISL 9680LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISL 9680LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISL 9680LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISL 9680LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISL 9680LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISL 9680LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISL 9680LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 204 185-320 / Island Records 204.185LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 204.185 / Island Records 204 185-320LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 204.185 / Island Records 204 185-320LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Mercury 1761679 / Island Records 1761679LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 204 185LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | Island Records VG 71410 / Island Records 062.VG 71410LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | Island Records ILPS 9680LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | Island Records 71410LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
117 vinyl pressings of October are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1981 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Australia, France and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9680, released October 12, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9680, L 37670, 6313 247, 204 185-320) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9680 A-1U TOWN HOUSE and ILPS 9680 B-1U TOWN HOUSE. 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.
