Vinyl pressings
by Billy Squier · 1981
In The Dark 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.
10 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 6 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.
S-45-A5040-97304-A Z1A-Side - Etched
S-45-A5040-97312-Z1B-Side - Etched
S-45-A5040-97304-A Z5 · 1A-Side - Etched-Variant
S-45-A5040-97312-Z5 ·B-Side - Etched-Variant
S-45-A5040-97304-A Z3 STERLING —◁A side runout
S-45-A5040-97312-Z3 STERLING —◁B side runout
S-45-A5040-97304-A Z2Side A, Etched
S-45-A5040-97312-Z1Side B, Etched
0 STERLINGBoth Sides, Stamped
CL 206 A-1 G 1 NICKZRunout side A
CL 206 B-2 G 1Runout side B
97304ASide A label
97312Side 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 | Canada | Capitol Records A-5040First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-17181First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Capitol Records F 5040First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Spain | EMI 10C 006-086.412 / Capitol Records, Inc. 10C 006-086.412First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records A-5040First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records P-A-5040First year7", Single, Stereo, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Stereo, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records A-5040First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records A-5040First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Capitol Records CL 206First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-17181First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-175157", 45 RPM, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-175157", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of In The Dark are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1981 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Capitol Records A-5040.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use A-5040, P-A-5040, CL 206, ECS-17181) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S-45-A5040-97304-A Z1 and S-45-A5040-97312-Z1. 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.
