Vinyl pressings
by Amii Stewart · 1981
Images 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.
17 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
203689 A-1/81S I Made in GermanySide A runout, stamped
203689 B-1/81S I Made in GermanySide B runout, stamped
S 203 689 ASide A label
S 203 689 BSide B label
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 | Australia | RCA Victor VPL1 6577 / RCA Victor VPL1-6577First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Bolivia | RCA Victor RLP-073First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | Hansa International 203 689First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Colombia | RCA Victor 05(3731)01843First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Carrere 67 766 / Hansa International 67 766First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | Music-Box MB 40140First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | RCA PL 31586 / RCA Victor PL 31586First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | RCA PL 31586 / RCA Victor PL 31586First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Japan | Hansa VIP-6801First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Hansa VIP-6801First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Mexico | Hansa International LA-363First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Hansa International 203 689 / Hansa International 203 689-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Ariola 203 689First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | Hansa ML 4511 / Gallo ML 4511First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Ariola I - 203 689 / Ariola I-203.689First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
17 vinyl pressings of Images are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Germany, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil and more. One of them is Hansa International 203 689, released April 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 203 689, VPL1 6577, RLP-073, 05(3731)01843) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 203689 A-1/81S I Made in Germany and 203689 B-1/81S I Made in Germany. 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.
