Vinyl pressings
by B. A. Robertson · 1980
Initial Success was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 8 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.
K 52216 A2 [lyre symbol] W-4A-side runout, variant 1, etched
K 52216 B1 [lyre symbol] W-41B-side runout, variant 1, etched
K 52216 A-1 W-14 [lyre symbol]A-side runout, variant 2, etched
K 52216 B-1 [lyre symbol] W-12B-side runout, variant 2, etched
K.52216.A. STRAWBERRY XRunout, A-side, etched
K.52216.B. STRAWBERRY XRunout, B-side, etched
Δ MX19507 600 060-1Runout, A-side
Δ MX19507 600 060-3Runout, B-side
WEA- 52216-A PFRunout, side A
WEA-52216-B PFRunout, side B
52216-ALabel, side A
52216-BLabel, side B
WEA 52216 A II M.T.410 W112Runout side 1, etched
WEA 52216 B M.T.410 W112Runout side 2, etched
K 52216 A2 [lyre symbol] W-4Runout, A-side, etched
K 52216 B1 [lyre symbol] W-41Runout, B-side, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | WEA 600060First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Asylum Records AS 52216First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | WEA 52216First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | WEA 52216LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Ireland | Asylum Records K.52216 / Asylum Records K 52216First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Asylum Records AS 52216First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Portugal | Asylum Records K.52216First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Asylum Records AS 52216 / Asylum Records AS 52 216LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Asylum Records AS 52216 / Asylum Records AS 52 216First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Asylum Records K.52216 / Asylum Records K 52216First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Asylum Records K.52216 / Asylum Records K 52216First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Asylum Records AS 52 216 / Asylum Records AS 52216LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
12 vinyl pressings of Initial Success are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Australia, Germany, Greece and more. One of them is Asylum Records K.52216.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K.52216, 600060, AS 52216, 52216) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K 52216 A2 [lyre symbol] W-4 and K 52216 B1 [lyre symbol] W-41. 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.
