Vinyl pressings
by Alison Moyet · 1984
Alf was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
35 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 16 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.
CBS 26229 A1 timtom: cbsRunout, A-side, variant 1
CBS 26229 B1 TYRunout, B-side, variant 1
CBS 26229 A1 timtom: cbsRunout, A-side, variant 2
CBS 26229 B3 LRunout, B-side, variant 2
CBS 26229 A1 timtom: cbs BA-side runout, etched, (B is stamped) variant 1
BA-side runout, stamped, variant 1
CBS 26229 B1 TYB-side runout, etched variant 1
CBS 26229. A.1 timtom: cbs C OA-side runout, etched, (C O is stamped) variant 2
CBS 26229 A3Runout, A-side, etched. Var. 1
CBS 26229 B4 ∴ :) (:Runout, B-side, etched/stamped. Var. 1
CBS 26229 A4Runout, A-side, etched. Var. 2
CBS 26229 B5Runout, B-side, etched. Var. 2
CBS 26229 A3A-side runout, etched
CBS 26229 B3B-side runout, etched
CBS 26229 A1 timtom: cbs CSide A runout
CBS 26229 B1 TY ⋀Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | CBS 20.598 / Discos CBS 20.598First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Argentina | CBS 20.598 / Discos CBS 20.598First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australia | CBS SBP 238033First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australia | CBS SBP 238033LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Australia | CBS SBP 238033LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Australia | CBS SBP 238033First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | CBS SBP 238033LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Australia | CBS SBP 238033First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Brazil | CBS 138.627First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS CBSCL 42 322 8 / CBS CBS 26229First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Amiga 26 229LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1984 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | CBS 26 229LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | CBS CBS 26229First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony CYA 1038First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | CBS CBS 26229First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP181LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2017 | Europe | BMG BMGCATLP79LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 26229LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 26229 / CBS 26229LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 26229 / CBS 26229LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 26229 / CBS 26229LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
58 vinyl pressings of Alf are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1984 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Europe, Ireland and more. One of them is CBS CBS 26229, released November 5, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CBS 26229, 26229, BFC 39956, FC 39956) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CBS 26229 A1 timtom: cbs and CBS 26229 B1 TY. 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.
