Vinyl pressings
by Adrian Gurvitz · 1982
Classic was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 15 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.
RAK 339 A-2 20 NICKZ 1Stamped runout, side A, 'NICKZ' is etched
RAK 339 B-1 32 2Stamped runout, side B
RAK 339ASide A label
RAK 339BSide B label
RAK 339 A-2 105 4Stamped Runout, Side A
RAK 339 B-1 33 2Stamped Runout, Side B
NICKZHand Etched Runout, Side A
RAK 339 A-2 [90° rotated, opposites] 1 1Stamped Runout, Side A
RAK 339 B-1 [90° rotated, opposites] 2 3Stamped Runout, Side B
NICKZHand Etched Runout, Side A
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | RAK RAK-661First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Barbados | EMI RAK 339First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Brazil | RAK 31C 006 64716First year7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1982 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 99817First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 99817First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Europe | RAK 1A 006-64716 / RAK 1A 008-64 716First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | RAK 1 C 008-64 716First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | France | EMI SP 1729First year12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Stereo |
| 1982 | France | RAK 2C008-64716 / RAK 2C008-64.716First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Ireland | RAK RAK 339First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Italy | RAK 3C 006-64716First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Italy | RAK 3C 006 - 64716 / RAK 3C 006-64716First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | Italy | RAK 3C 006-64716First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | New Zealand | RAK RAK 339First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Philippines | EMI EMI-73-X-264First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Scandinavia | EMI 50999-20361977", Reissue, 45 RPM, Single | 7", Reissue, 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Jamaica | EMI RAK 3397", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | EMI RAK 3397", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
28 vinyl pressings of Classic are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1982 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Australia, Barbados and more. One of them is RAK RAK 339.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RAK 339, 2C008-64716, 7-29981, RAK-661) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RAK 339 A-2 20 NICKZ 1 and RAK 339 B-1 32 2. 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.
