Vinyl pressings
by Al Jarreau · 1985
In London 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.
17 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 11 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.
R / S Alsdorf 252369-1 A TML-XVariant 1, Runout side A, stamped
X 1-2 △10248 W. GER. 1-25331 - A - SH 1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-21648-SH1 SLMVariant 1, Runout side A, etched
R / S Alsdorf 252369-1 B TML-XVariant 1, Runout side B, stamped
1 - 25331 - B - SH 1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B - 21649 SH1 SLM △10248-X 1-2 <l D l> <l S [crossed out] l> D B [crossed out] l> W. GER.Variant 1, Runout side B, etched
R / S Alsdorf 252369-1-A2Runout side A, stamped
R / S Alsdorf 252369-1-B2Runout side B, stamped
R / S Alsdorf 252369 - 1 A 6x 1 - 2 △ 10248 W, GER, 1 - 25331 - A - SH 1 C ⥾ B - 21648 - SH1 SLM TML-XRunout side A, stamped (⥾is circled)
R / S Alsdorf 252369 - 1 B 4x BE W,GER, 1 - 25331 - B - SH 1 0 B - 21649 - SH1 1 SLM △ 10248 - X TML-X 1 - 2Runout side B, stamped
1-25331-A SR2 1-1Runout Etched Side A - Variant 1
SRC [logo] TML-SRunout Stamped Side A - Variant 1
1-25331-B-SR1 1-2Runout Etched Side B - Variant 1
SRC [logo] TML-XRunout Stamped Side B - Variant 1
1-25331-A-SH1 B-21648-SH1 SLM 1-1 ∆10248Side A Etched
1-25331-B-SH1 B-21648-SH1 SLM ∆-10248-X 1-1Side B Etched
TML-X ɊSide A & B Stamped
1-25331-A-SH2 Q B-21648-SH2 SLM △10248 1-4 DRGRunout, etched, side A
1-25331-B-SH2 Q B-21649-SH2 SLM △10248 X 1-4 DRGRunout, etched, side B
TML-MRunout, stamped, both sides
83953 ALabel, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | WEA 83953First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Australia | WEA 252 369-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 5331First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 5331First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | WEA 252 369-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | WEA 252 369-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | WEA 252 369-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | WEA 25 2369-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | WEA P-13194First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Japan | WEA P-13194First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Mexico | Wea International LWI-6440First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Spain | WEA 25 2369-1 / WEA 252369-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Spain | WEA 25 2369-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Warner Bros. Records 9 25331-1 / Warner Bros. Records 1-25331First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Warner Bros. Records 9 W1-25331 / Warner Bros. Records W1-25331LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | WEA 25 2369-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of In London are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1985 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Europe, US, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is WEA 252 369-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 252 369-1, 9 25331-1, 83953, 92 5331) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R / S Alsdorf 252369-1 A TML-X and X 1-2 △10248 W. GER. 1-25331 - A - SH 1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-21648-SH1 SLM. 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.
