Vinyl pressings
by Wire · 1987
The Ideal Copy 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.
15 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 9 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.
STUM - 42 A₁ PAG EXCHANGE DRunout side A, variant 1
STUM - 42 B₁ PAG JONZ FRunout side B, variant 1
STUM - 42 A₁ PAG EXCHANGE FRunout side A, variant 2
STUM - 42 B₁ PAG JONZ BRunout side B, variant 2
STUM - 42 A₁ PAG EXCHANGE DRunout side A
STUM - 42 B₁ PAG JONZ FRunout side B
STUM - 42 A1 PAG EXCHANGERunout A
STUM - 42 B1 PAG JONZRunout B
STUM-42 A1 PAG EXCHANGE SSide A etched
STUM-42 B1 PAG JONZ SSide B etched
SWAO-1-73270 G-1 [Allied ɑ logo] B-27021-G1 △16057 1-1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ESRunout side A
SWAO-2-73270 G-1 [Allied ɑ logo] B-27022-G1 △16057-X 1-1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ESRunout side B
73270-1-ALabel side A
73270-1-BLabel side B
SWAO-1-73270 SP 0-1 G-1 ["ɑ" logo] B-27021-G1 △16057 ̷1̷-̷2̷ MASTERED BY CAPITOL E_ AL-SPSide A runout
SWAO-2-73270 SP 0-1 G-1 ["ɑ" logo] B-27022-G1 △16057-X ̷1̷-̷2̷ MASTERED BY CAPITOL E_ AL-SPSide B runout
73270-1-ASide A label
73270-1-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | Enigma Canada SWAO-73270First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | Mute 70523 / Virgin 70523First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Greece | Virgin VG 50271 / Mute VG 50271First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Italy | Mute STUMM 42First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | Mute STUMM 42First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1987 | Japan | Mute ALI28049First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | Mute ALI-28049First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Netherlands | Mute STUMM 42First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Mute STUMM 42First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Mute STUMM 42First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Mute STUMM 42First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Mute STUMM 42LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | UK | Mute STUMM 42First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Enigma SWAO-73270First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Enigma SWAO-73270First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
16 vinyl pressings of The Ideal Copy are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Germany, Canada and more. One of them is Mute STUMM 42.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STUMM 42, SWAO-73270, INT 146.829, 70523) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STUM - 42 A₁ PAG EXCHANGE D and STUM - 42 B₁ PAG JONZ F. 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.
