Vinyl pressings
by Bram Tchaikovsky · 1980
The Russians Are Coming 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.
17 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 12 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.
W-1 RAD 26 A2Runout side A, variant 1
W-1 RAD 26 B2Runout side B, variant 1
W-4 RAD 26 A2Runout side A, variant 2
W-5 RAD 26 B2Runout side B, variant 2
PD-1-6273-AS-PW STERLING (PR)Side A Etched, variant 1
PD-1-6273-BS-PW (PR) STERLINGSide B Etched, variant 1
PD•1•6273•AS-PW STERLING (PR)PSide A Etched, variant 2
PD•1•6273•BS•PW (PR)P STERLINGSide B Etched, variant 2
PD-1-6273-AS PRC-R-1-1-1Etched Side A
PD-1-6273-BS PRC-R-1-1-1Etched Side B
STERLINGStamped Both Sides
PD-1-6273-AS PRC-C 1-1-1Etched Side A
PD-1-6273-BS PRC-1C-1-1Etched Side B
STERLINGStamped Both Sides
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 | Radar Records RAD 26First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6273First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6273First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Europe | Radar Records RAD 58 128First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Europe | Radar Records RAD 58 128First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | Radar Records RAD 58 128 / Radar Records RAD 26First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Radar Records RAD 58 128First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | WEA Records (Greece) 58128First yearLP | LP |
| 1980 | Greece | WEA Records (Greece) 58128LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Italy | Radar Records K 58128First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Radar Records K 58128First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10871FFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Radar Records RAD 58 128 / Radar Records RAD 26First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | Radar Records S 90.260First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Radar Records RAD 26 / Radar Records K 58128First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of The Russians Are Coming are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Radar Records RAD 26.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RAD 26, PD-1-6273, RAD 58 128, 58128) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, W-1 RAD 26 A2 and W-1 RAD 26 B2. 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.
