Vinyl pressings
by Alabama · 1985
40 Hour Week 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.
14 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.
MasterfonicsRunout stamped
AHL1-5339-S-21SRunout side A, etched, variant 1
AHL1-5339-B-20SRunout side B, etched, variant 1
AHL1-5339-A-20SRunout side A, etched, variant 2
AHLI-5339-A-235 Masterfonics I Λ2DSide A runout, variant 1
AHLP-5339-B-215 Masterfonics I Λ3PSide B runout, variant 1
AHL1-5339-A-215 r-4 Masterfonics I Λ4JSide A runout, variant 2
AHL1-5339-B-205 r-4 Masterfonics I Λ5KSide B runout, variant 2
AHL1-5339 A (CR)Side A runout
AHL1-5339 B (CR)Side B runout
AHL1-5339 A G (CR)Side A runout
AHL1-5339 B (CR)Side B runout
DM B-2078 A-1/85S 1 NRunout side A
DM B-2078 A-2/85S 1 NRunout side B
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 | Australia | RCA APL1-5339First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | RCA Victor AHL1-5339First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | RCA PL85339First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | RCALP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Italy | RCA PL 85339First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | RCA PL 85339First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Japan | RCA RPL-8288First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | RCA RPL-8288First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | RCA APL1-5339First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Portugal | RCA Victor PL 15339First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | South Africa | RCA ML 4790First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | South Korea | RCA JRPL-3363First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | RCA AHL1-5339First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | RCA AHL1-5339First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Zimbabwe | RCA ML 4790First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
15 vinyl pressings of 40 Hour Week are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Australia, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is RCA AHL1-5339.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AHL1-5339, APL1-5339, PL85339, PL 85339) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Masterfonics and AHL1-5339-S-21S. 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.
