Vinyl pressings
by Bananarama · 1989
Help was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
33 pressings came out in 1989, 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.
LON 222 A NS [SNA logo]A-side runout, etched/stamped
LON 222 B [SNA logo]B-side runout, etched/stamped
ZPMSC 11860A-side label
ZPMSC 11861B-side label
LON 222 A-2U-1-Q4 NSA-side runout, stamped/etched, variant 1
LON 222 B-2U-1-Q4B-side runout, stamped, variant 1
LON 222 A-2U-1-Q6 NSA-side runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
LON 222 B-2U-1-Q3B-side runout, stamped, variant 2
LONX 222 A-2U-1-1 NSSide A, etched
LONX 222 B-2U-1-1Side B, etched
LONX 222 This SideLabel Side A
LONX 222 The Other SideLabel Side B
886:492·7·89367·SHORT SP I - I Hit Factory ¢Runout, side A, etched
886:492·7·89367·LONG · SP I - IRunout, side B, etched
[SRC Logo]Runout, side A&B, stamped
89-367SHORTLabel Side A
89-367SHORT
89-367LONG
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Brazil | London Records 2801 336 / PolyGram 2801 336First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Canada | London Records 886 492-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | London Records 886 493-1First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Europe | London Records 886 492-7 / London Records 886492-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | London Records 886 492-7 / Metronome 886 492-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Europe | London Records 886 492-7 / London Records 886492-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | France | London Records 886 492-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | France | London Records 886 492-7First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Greece | London Records 886 492-1First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Greece | London Records 886 492-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, White Label |
| 1989 | Japan | London Records SOOP 1111First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1989 | Japan | London Records L00P 7152First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Japan | London Records L00P 7152First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Netherlands | London Records 886493-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1989 | Peru | London Records N-LON 8864927.7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
33 vinyl pressings of Help are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, US, France, Australasia and more. One of them is London Records LON 222, released February 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LON 222, LONX 222, LONXDJ 222, 886 492-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LON 222 A NS [SNA logo] and LON 222 B [SNA logo]. 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.
