Vinyl pressings
by Working Week · 1985
Inner City Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 7 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.
VS 74512 A-2U-1-1Runout side A, variant 1
VS 74512 B-2U-1-1Runout side B, variant 1
VS 74512 A-1U-1-1-x1 tim tom cbsRunout side A, variant 2
VS 74512 B-2U-1-1-x1 TYRunout side B, variant 2
VS 745 A-4U-1-1-1Runout A, stamped
VS 745 B-1U-1-1-1Runout B, stamped
MX215879 VS745-1Runout Side A, etched
MX215880 VS745-2Runout Side B, etched
MX215879Label Side A
MX215880Label Side B
DM 107225 A-1/85S 1Side A, stamped
DM 107225 B-1/85S 1Side B, stamped
S 107 225 ASide A, label
S 107 225 BSide B, label
DM 601737 A-1/85S 1Runout side A
DM 601737 B-1/85S 1Runout side B
S 601 737 ALabel side A
S 601 737 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Virgin VS 745First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | Virgin VS 745-12 / Virgin VS 74512First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | Virgin VS 745First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | Virgin VSX 1273First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 107 225 / Virgin 107 225-100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 601 737 / Virgin 601 737-213First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Virgin 80165First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | France | Virgin 90183First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Italy | Virgin VIN 45144First year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | South Africa | Virgin VS 626First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | UK | Virgin VS 745-12First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Virgin VS 745First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of Inner City Blues are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, Australia, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Virgin VS 745-12.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 745-12, VS 745, VSX 1273, 107 225) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 74512 A-2U-1-1 and VS 74512 B-2U-1-1. 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.
