Vinyl pressings
by Will Powers · 1983
Dancing For Mental Health was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. 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 1983, 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.
1-1 STERLING SRC STIL-835249-AA-Side Runout Etching
1-1 STERLING H SRC STIL 835250 AB-Side Runout Etching
ST-IL-835249-SPA-Side Label
ST-IL-835250-SPB-Side Label
B-18301-A 1-2 SPAR SRC STIL-835249-A △ 4788 O- STERLINGA-side runout
1-2 SPAR SRC STIL-835250 A △ 4788-X O- STERLINGB-side runout
ST-IL-835249-ARA-side label
ST-IL-835250-ARB-side label
ILPS-9765-A -1U-1-1-1 STERLINGRunout side A
ILPS-9765B -1U-1-1-1 E STERLINGRunout side B
205757 A-1/83 S III II Made in GermanyRunout A side
205757 B-1/83 S III Made in GermanyRunout B side
S 205 757 ALabel side A
S 205 757 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Island Records L-38146First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Island Records 205 757First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | Phonogram 814 491-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Island Records 25S-190First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Portugal | Island Records 205 757First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | Island Records I-205757First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9765First yearLP | LP |
| 1983 | US | Island Records 90102-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Island Records 90102-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Island Records 25S-190 / Polystar 25S-190First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of Dancing For Mental Health are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Island Records 90102-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 90102-1, ILPS 9765, L-38146, 205 757) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1-1 STERLING SRC STIL-835249-A and 1-1 STERLING H SRC STIL 835250 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.
