Vinyl pressings
by Warren Zevon · 1987
Sentimental Hygiene 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.
16 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 12 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-VR 876393-A-DMM 1-2 1-1 PrecisionRunout A etched [Var 1]
STVR 876394C-DMM 1-5 PrecisionRunout B etched [Var 1]
ST-VR 876393-A-DMM 1-2 1-1 PrecisionRunout A etched [Var 2]
STVR 876394C-DMM 1-1 PrecisionRunout B etched [Var 2]
ST-VR 876393-A-DMM 1-3 SP-AR Precision 0 - △16728 B-27652-A-DMMSide A runout, variant 1
STVR 876394C-DMM 1-3 Precision SP-AR 0 - △16728-X B-27653-B-DMMSide B runout, variant 1
ST-VR 876393-A-DMM 1-3 SP-AR Precision 0- △16728 B-27652-A-DMMSide A runout, variant 2
STVR 876394-C-DMM 1-3 Precision SP-AR 0- △16728-X B-27653-C-DMMSide B runout, variant 2
V2433 A-1U-1-1- D DRun-out Side A - variant 1
V2433 B-2U-1-1- D DRun-out Side B - variant 1
V2433 A-1U-1- DRun-out Side A - variant 2
V2433 B-2U-1-1- ▽ I D DRun-out Side B - variant 2
V2433 A-2U-1-1-Run-out Side A - machine-stamped
V2433 B-2U-1-1-Run-out Side B - machine-stamped
ST-VR 876393-A-DMM 1-2 [scratched out] 1-1 PrecisionSide 1
STVR 876394C-DMM 1-5 PrecisionSide 2
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 | Australia | Virgin V2433First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australia | Virgin V2433 / Virgin V 2433First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Canada | Virgin VL 90603First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1987 | Europe | Virgin 208 435 / Virgin 208 435-630First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | Virgin 70529First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Greece | Virgin VG-50284First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | Virgin V2433 / Virgin V 2433First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | Virgin VJL-28004First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | New Zealand | Virgin V 2433First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | South Africa | Virgin VNC 5104First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | Virgin T 208 435First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Virgin V 2433 / Virgin V2433First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Virgin 208 435First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | Virgin V 2433First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Virgin 7 90603-1 / Virgin 1-90603First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Sentimental Hygiene are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Virgin 7 90603-1, released July 7, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7 90603-1, V 2433, 208 435, V2433) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-VR 876393-A-DMM 1-2 1-1 Precision and STVR 876394C-DMM 1-5 Precision. 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.
