Dire Straits
Alchemy (2 CDs)
Warner Bros. 9 25085 (on inserts)
WB 9 25085-2 // 25102-2 / (818 244-2) (on disc 1)
WB 9 25085-2 // 25103-2 / (818 245-2) (on disc 2)
made in West Germany for US market
color scheme: silver paint background with red reticle and black lettering
genre: rock
LP originally released in 1984


MADE IN WEST | | GERMANY BY POLYGRAM, with outer mirror band (1a) & (2a).
Matrix number: Disc One: 818 244-2 02.
Known suffixes: LM, LP, (illegible) [LC], MC
Disc Two: 818 245-2 01
Known suffixes: none, EJ [ED], FT [TN], FU [XK], GC [PL]
Variations:
Disc One is also known with outer mirror band and
MADE IN W. GERMANY BY PDO HANOVER etched around the center hole (1b).
Matrix number: 818 244-2 02.
Known suffixes: PE
I haven't seen a disc Two with this inscription, but it may exist. Or not.
Disc One can also be found with MADE IN W. GERMANY BY PDO (large font) etched around the center hole (1c).
Matrix number: 818 244-2 02.
Known suffixes: OZ


Disc two, MADE IN WEST | | GERMANY BY POLYGRAM, without outer mirror band (2b).
Matrix number: 818 245-2 02 #
Known suffixes: KB, KG, KL, KW
This disc face can also be found with MADE IN W. GERMANY BY PDO etched around the center hole (2c).
Matrix number: 818 245-2 02 #
Known suffixes: LY
Disc One, MADE IN WEST | | GERMANY BY POLYGRAM, without mirror band (1d), also exists. No picture yet.
Matrix number: 818 244-2 03 #


Disc One MADE IN WEST | | GERMANY on the front, and "MADE IN W. GERMANY BY PDO"
is etched around the center hole (1e).
Matrix number: 818 244-2 02.
Known suffixes: QY, RQ


Disc Two MADE IN WEST | | GERMANY on the front, and MADE IN W. GERMANY BY PDO
is etched around the center hole (2d).
Matrix number: 818 245-2 02 #
Known suffixes: NJ
Note that one disc has an outer mirror band
while the other does not. I would think both discs can be found both ways, but
the "missing" variations have not turned up, as far as I know.


Front covers of the twelve-page booklets
Both booklets state "Manufactured by PolyGram in Hanover,
West Germany
Printed in West Germany" on page eleven. Later issues say "Printed in U.S.A." on page eleven.


Rear tray inserts "Printed in West Germany" with barcode.
"9 25085-2" over "(25102-2)" (disc one) or "9 25085-2" over "(26103-2)" (disc two)
is printed on the reverse.
These back inlays most commonly contain the target discs.


Disc One rear tray insert, "Printed in the USA." Nothing is printed on the reverse.


Disc Two rear tray insert, Printed in the USA.
The PDO versions have been found in these USA inlays,
although US non-target pressings will most often be found inside.


Many, if not all, copies of this set were issued with this slipcase.
This scan shows the front of the slipcase.


Back cover of the slipcase, "Printed in West Germany."
There is a barcode on the top of the slipcase.
That is a gouge on the left side of the scan. It should not appear on most copies!
This set is usually found without the slipcase, indicating that either some
copies did not originally come with it, or many people discarded them.

Notes: This set is not rare, but it may take some searching.
These target CD's were only issued in North America, as far as I know.
This title was released on the Vertigo label in most of the rest of the world.
Several combinations of Parts One and Two disc variations have been found together in slipcases.

Jewel case info: (1a) ridged six-tab two-dimple case with "73" embossed on one tab.
"71" is embossed on the back portion, inside bottom center. Eight-prong disc tray embossed "Patents pending 23"

(1c) smooth frosted-top case with two long stopper bars and "Patent pending"
and "D-1" embossed on the back. "D-2" is embossed on one tab.

(1b) smooth frosted-top case with two long stopper bars and "Patent pending"
and "D-4" embossed on the back. "D-4" is embossed on one tab. Eight-prong disc tray embossed "Patents pending 193"

(2a) ridged six-tab two-dimple case with "44" embossed on one tab.
"82" is embossed on the back portion, inside bottom center. Eight-prong disc tray embossed "Patents pending 1R"

(2a) smooth frosted-top two-dimple case with "34" embossed on one tab and "31" embossed on the
back portion, inside bottom center. Eight-prong disc tray embossed "Patents pending 14"

(2c) heavy ridged four-tab case with two short stopper bars and "13" embossed on one tab.
Eight-prong disc tray embossed "Patents pending 24"

OTHER INTERESTING EARLY CD PRESSINGS OF THIS TITLE:


MADE IN W. GERMANY BY POLYGRAM at 8 o'clock.
Matrix number: 818 244-2 01

MADE IN W. GERMANY BY POLYGRAM at 8 o'clock.
Matrix number: 818 245-2 01
Discs One and Two.
This Vertigo Two-CD set was issued in Europe and wherever else this
title was controlled by Vertigo.
This disc design is called a "blue Nautilus" by collectors,
and it comes in two varieties, this one being the second.


MADE IN W. GERMANY BY POLYGRAM at 6 o'clock.
Matrix number: 818 244-2 02.
Known suffixes: JX
This disc design is called a "red fan" by collectors.
It replaced the blue "Nautilus" design.


MADE IN W. GERMANY BY POLYGRAM at 6 o'clock.
Matrix number: 818 245-2 01
Known suffixes: HK
Discs One and Two.
This Vertigo Two-CD set was issued in Europe and wherever else this
title was controlled by Vertigo.


Rear tray inserts with barcode.
I found the "blue Nautilus" and POLYGRAM "red fan" with these rear inserts.
"818244-2" and "818245-2" are printed respectively in the upper left on the
reverses of the "blue Nautilus" tray inserts, and in the upper right corners
on the reverses of the "red fan" tray cards.
No manufacturing information is provided.
The front covers of the twelve-page booklets are the same as the target release.
Page twelve of each states "Printed in West Germany"
Some booklet two's lack this declaration.


MADE IN W. GERMANY at 6 o'clock.
"MADE IN W. GERMANY BY PDO" is etched around the center hole.
Matrix number: 818 244-2 02.
Known suffixes: UN

MADE IN W. GERMANY at 6 o'clock.
"MADE IN W. GERMANY BY PDO" is etched around the center hole.
Matrix number: 818 245-2 04 #
Known suffixes: RP


Rear tray inserts with barcode.
Note the addition of an LC bullet and a SPARs code
I found the PDO "red fan" with these rear inserts.
Nothing is printed on the reverses.
No manufacturing information is provided.
The booklets are the same as above.


Front and back of the slipcase that came with many, if not all, editions of this set.
The top box came with early copies and while it is glossy, it is low-gloss.
The bottom box came with later copies and is very glossy.
It almost appears laminated. Many of these have yellowed over the years.
The back states "Printed in West Germany by / Imprimé en Allemagne par
Schwerdtle & Schantz, Berlin ˇ Made in West Germany"
There is a barcode on the top of the slipcase.

09/16/20 *