Vinyl pressings
by Alice · 1981
Per Elisa was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 7 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.
18529-A 16-1-81 1B 7 15.1.81Runout area side A, variant 1
18529-B 16-1-81 1B 15.1.81Runout area side B, variant 1
18529-A- 16-1-81- I △ [cgd logo] 15⋅1⋅81 InzadiRunout area side A, variant 2
18529-B- 16-1-81- I △ [cgd logo] 15⋅1⋅81 InzadiRunout area side B, variant 2
18529-A 28-1-81 IIRunout, side A, variant 1
18529-B- 16-1-81 I 15.1.81 InzadiRunout, side B, variant 1
18529-A 16-1-81- Ⅰ ▵ [cgd logo] 15-1-81 [Inzadi signature]Runout area side A, variant 2
18529-B- 16-1-81- Ⅰ ▵ [cgd logo] 15-1-81 [Inzadi signature]Runout area side B, variant 2
18529-A 28-1-81 II △ G/SRunout area side A
18529-B 28-1-81 II △ G/SRunout area side B
3C 006-18529 ALabel side A
3C 006-18529 BLabel side B
18529 A 21 M3 335343 RLRunout side A
18529 B 21 M3 335344 RLRunout side B
C 008-18.529 ALabel side A
C 008-18.529 BLabel side B
18262-A1Runout A, variant 1
18262-B1Runout B, variant 1
18262-A1 1Runout A, variant 2
18262-B1 1Runout B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | France | EMI 2C 008-18529First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-18 262 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-18 262First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | EMI 182627", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Italy | EMI 3C 006-18529First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | EMI 3C 006-18529First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Italy | EMI 3C 006-18529First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | EMI 3C 006-18529First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 006-18529First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Portugal | EMI 11C 008-18529 HFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Spain | EMI 10C 006-018.529First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Switzerland | EMI 13C 006-18529First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Japan | Odeon EOS-172837", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Japan | Odeon EOS-172837", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Per Elisa are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Italy, France, Germany, Netherlands and more. One of them is EMI 3C 006-18529.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3C 006-18529, 2C 008-18529, 1C 006-18 262, 1A 006-18529) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 18529-A 16-1-81 1B 7 15.1.81 and 18529-B 16-1-81 1B 15.1.81. 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.
