Vinyl pressings
by Annabel Lamb · 1984
The Flame 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.
12 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 9 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.
19-68564 2A-1 AStamped side A runout, variant 1
19-68564 1B-1 AStamped side A runout, variant 1
19-68564-2A-1 AStamped side A runout, variant 2
19-68564-1B-1 AStamped side B runout, variant 2
AMLX 68564 A 8 BilBo TaPe One (8)Runout side A, variant 1
AMLX 68564 B 6 BilBo TaPe OneRunout side B, variant 1
AMLX 68564 A-8 A BILBO TAPE ONE (8)Runout side A, variant 2
AMLX 68564 B5 A BILBO TAPE ONERunout side B, variant 2
MR △26418 SPO-50081-A-ES1Side 1 runout, etched
MR △26418X SPO-50081-B-ES1Side 2 runout, etched
SP0-5008-A / SP0-5̶0̶0̶1̶ -A-M1 [Artisan logo] EMWSide A runout
SP0-5̶0̶0̶1̶ -B-M1 SP0-5008-B [Artisan logo] EMWSide B runout
SP-05008-ALabel A side
SP-05008-BLabel B side
SP0-5008-A-RCA I ᴧ I A -Side A runout, etched
SP0-5008-B-RCA I ᴧ I C -Side B runout, etched
(SP-05008-A)Side A label
(SP-05008-B)Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | A&M Records L38193First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | A&M Records SP-5008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | A&M Records AMLX 68564First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | A&M Records AMLX 68564First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28096First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28096First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | New Zealand | A&M Records L 38193First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | A&M Records AMLH 68564First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | A&M Records AMLX 68564First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records SP-5008First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records SP-5008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records SP-5008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | A&M RecordsLP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Not On Label (Annabel Lamb)LP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc |
14 vinyl pressings of The Flame are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1984 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Europe, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records AMLX 68564.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMLX 68564, SP-5008, L38193, AMP-28096) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 19-68564 2A-1 A and 19-68564 1B-1 A. 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.
