Vinyl pressings
by XTC · 1986
Skylarking was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 12 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.
V 2399 A - 4U - 1 - 1 ⇀Side A stamped, variant 1
V 2399 B - 4U - 1 - 1 ⇀Side B stamped, variant 1
V 2399 A - 3U - 1 - 1 ⇀Side A stamped, variant 2
V 2399 B - 4U - 1 - 1 ⇀Side B stamped, variant 2
[SRC logo] GHS-24117-A-SH-1 SR-3 [Artisan logo] 11Side A runout etched, logos stamped, variant 1
[SRC logo] GHS-24117-B-SR-1 [Artisan logo] 1-2Side B runout etched, logos stamped, variant 1
[SRC logo] GHS-24117-A-SR-3 [Artisan logo]Side A runout etched, logos stamped, variant 2
[SRC logo] GHS-24117-B-SR-1 [Artisan logo]Side B runout etched, logos stamped, variant 2
GHS-24117-A-SH-2 B-25890-SH2 Δ14831 1-1 [Allied Logo] [Artisan Sound Recorders Logo]Side A
GHS-24117-B-SH-3 B-25891-SH3 Δ14831-X 1-1 [Allied Logo] [Artisan Sound Recorders Logo]Side B
V 2399 A - 3U - 1 - 1 ⇀Side A, stamped
V 2399 B - 3U - 1 - 1 ⇀Side B, stamped
DM 207905 A-2/10-86Runout A-side, stamped
DM 207905 B-1/9-86Runout B-side, stamped
DM 207 905 ACenter label A-side
DM 207 905 BCenter label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Virgin V 2399First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Australia | Virgin V 2399First yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1986 | Canada | Virgin VL 2399 / Virgin VL2399First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Virgin 207 905 / Virgin 207 905 630First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | France | Virgin 123 991First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | Virgin V2399 / Virgin VG 2399First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Italy | Virgin V 2399First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | Virgin 28VB-1126First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Virgin V 2399First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Spain | Virgin V2399 / Virgin LL-V2399First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24117LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Ireland | Virgin V 2399First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Virgin 207 905 / Virgin 207 905-630First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Virgin V 2399First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24117First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | UK | Ape House APELP04412", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue |
| 2010 | UK | Ape House APELP044DLP, 45 RPM, Album, Remastered, Box Set, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, 45 RPM, Album, Remastered, Box Set, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 2016 | UK | Ape House APELPD108LP, 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Repress, CD, Album, Reissue, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Remastered | LP, 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Repress, CD, Album, Reissue, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Remastered |
| 2018 | UK | Ape House APELP113LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | UK | Ape House APELPR113LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
30 vinyl pressings of Skylarking are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1986 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Ireland, Europe and more. One of them is Virgin V 2399, released October 27, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V 2399, GHS 24117, 207 905, 28VB-1126) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V 2399 A - 4U - 1 - 1 ⇀ and V 2399 B - 4U - 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.
