Vinyl pressings
by Brilliant · 1985
It's A Man's Man's Man's World was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
D ̷M̷ R/S Alsdorf 248953-0-A GRAEMERunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 248953-0-BRunout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 248953-0-A GRAEME 1Runout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 248953-0 B DRunout side B, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 248961-7 ARunout side A
R/S Alsdorf 248961-7 BRunout side B
BE R / S Alsdorf 248961-7 A 2 GDRunout side A stamped; BE and 2 DG etched
R / S Alsdorf 248961-7 BRunout side B stamped
R/S Alsdorf 248961-7 A D GRAEMERunout side A
R/S Alsdorf 248961-7 BRunout side B
F O O D 5 T A / 1 ▽420 Z (?) 1 2Runout, side A / stamped variant 1
F O O D 5 T B / 1 ▽420 Z (?) 1 2Runout, side B / stamped variant 1
F O O D 5 T A / 1 ▽420 Z 1 1 1Runout, side A / stamped variant 2
F O O D 5 T B / 1 ▽420 Z 1 1 3Runout, side B / stamped variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Canada | WEA 24 89617First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Europe | WEA 248 953-0 / Food FOOD 5TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | WEA 248 961-7 / WEA Food 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | WEA 248 961-7 / WEA Food 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | WEA 248 961-7 / WEA Food 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | WEA 248 961-7First year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | France | WEA 24 8961-7 / WEA 248961-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Food FOOD 5TE / Food 248 961-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Italy | WEA 24 8961-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | South Africa | WEA WIS 629First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Food FOOD 5 TE / WEA 248 961-0First year12" | 12" |
| 1985 | UK | Food FOOD 5PV / WEA 248 961-7First year7", Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1985 | UK | Food FOOD 5TEFirst year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1985 | UK | FoodFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1985 | UK | Food FOOD 5 / Food 248 961-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | WEA 7-2489617", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
28 vinyl pressings of It's A Man's Man's Man's World are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Europe, UK, France, Germany and more. One of them is WEA 248 953-0.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 248 953-0, 248 961-7, FOOD 5T, FOOD 5 TE) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, D ̷M̷ R/S Alsdorf 248953-0-A GRAEME and R/S Alsdorf 248953-0-B. 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.
