Vinyl pressings
by Was (Not Was) · 1987
Walk The Dinosaur 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.
27 pressings came out in 1987, 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.
WAS - 3 - A3 MT. JARunout side A, variant 1
WAS - 3 - B2 MT.Runout side B, variant 1
WAS - 3 - A3. MT. 5 JARunout side A, variant 2
WAS - 3 - B2.MT. 5Runout side B, variant 2
WAS - 3 - A3 MT. JA 1 2Side A runout
WAS - 3 - B2 MT. 1 2Side B runout
WAS322 A//2▽420T DBSide A runout stamped / etched, variant 1
WAS322 B//▽420 TSide B runout stamped, variant 1
WAS322 A//2▽420T 11 1U DB.TAPE ONESide A runout stamped / etched, variant 2
WAS322 B/1▽420T 1 DB.TAPE ONESide B runout stamped / etched, variant 2
WASR-322-A1Side A runout groove, etched
WASR-322-B1Side B runout groove, etched
MT.Side A & B runout groove, etched
JASide A runout groove, etched
WAS 322 A /27420T 11Runout Machine Stamp A-side
WAS 322 B /1 ∇420T 1Runout Machine Stamp B-side
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 | Australasia | Mercury 888 809-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Australasia | Mercury 888 809-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Canada | Fontana 888 809-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Europe | Fontana 888 809-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Fontana 888 809-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Fontana 888 809-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | Fontana 888 809-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | France | Fontana 888 809-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | France | Fontana 888 809-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Germany | Mercury 888 809-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Germany | Mercury 888 809-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Greece | Fontana 888809-112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Greece | Fontana 888809-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Italy | Fontana 888 809-1First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Italy | Fontana 888 809-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | Fontana FONT-17", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
45 vinyl pressings of Walk The Dinosaur are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1987 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, South Africa, Australasia, Canada and more. One of them is Fontana WAS 3, released September 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WAS 3, WAS 322, WASR 322, WAS DJ 312) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WAS - 3 - A3 MT. JA and WAS - 3 - B2 MT.. 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.
