Vinyl pressings
by XTC · 1983
Great Fire 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 4 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-553-12-A1 // V // TOWNHOUSE // No Time For Sergeant's // 1 2A runout, variant 1
VS-553-12-B1 // V // TOWNHOUSEB runout, variant 1
VS-553-12-A2 // V // TOWNHOUSE // No Time For Sergeant's // 1A runout, variant 2
VS-553-12-B2 // V // TOWNHOUSEB runout, variant 2
VS-553-A1 TOWNHOUSE 0 REGiMENTAL ΛSide A, Variant 1
VS-553-B1 TOWNHOUSE 0 REGiMENTAL ΛSide B, Variant 1
VS-553-A2 TOWNHOUSE 2 REGiMENTAL ΛSide A, Variant 2
VS-553-B2 TOWNHOUSE REGiMENTAL ΛSide B, Variant 2
VS-553-A1 TOWNHOUSE C REGIMENTAL ARunout side A, etched, stamped, Variant 1
VS-553-B1 TOWNHOUSE C REGIMENTAL ARunout side B, etched, stamped, Variant 1
VS-553-A1 TOWNHOUSE 14 REGIMENTAL ARunout side A, etched, stamped, Variant 2
VS-553-B1 3 TOWNHOUSE REGIMENTAL ARunout side B, etched, stamped, Variant 2
VS-553-12-A1 TOWNHOUSE No Time For Sergeant's ASide A runout
VS-553-12-B1 TOWNHOUSE ASide B runout
MX202820 VS533-1 ℓRunout side A, stamped, etched
MX202821 VS533-2 ℓRunout side B, stamped, etched
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 | Virgin VS 553First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS 553First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS 55312First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | France | Virgin 600852First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Germany | Virgin 600 852First year12" | 12" |
| 1983 | UK | Virgin VS 553-12First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Virgin VS 553First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Virgin VS553First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | UK | Virgin VS-553-12First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS 55312First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
10 vinyl pressings of Great Fire are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, Australia, France, Germany. One of them is Virgin VS 553-12.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 553-12, VS 553, VS553, VS-553-12) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS-553-12-A1 // V // TOWNHOUSE // No Time For Sergeant's // 1 2 and VS-553-12-B1 // V // TOWNHOUSE. 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.
