Vinyl pressings
by Cameo · 1986
Word Up! was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
42 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
SRC 884-933-7-86-CS-851-SP1 STERLINGRunout Side A
SRC 884-933-7-85-CS-778-SP1 STERLINGRunout Side B
86 CS 851Label Side A
85 CS 778Label Side B
[Specialty Records Corporation logo] 884-933-7-86-CS-851-SP I - I STERLINGRunout side A
[Specialty Records Corporation logo] 884-933-7-85-CS-778-SP I - I ☆STERLINGRunout side B
86 CS 851Label side A
85 CS 778Label side B
[SRC logo] 884-933-7-86-CS-851-SP I - 2 STERLINGRunout side A
[SRC logo] 884-933-7-85-CS-778-SP I - I ☆STERLINGRunout side B
86 CS 851Label side A
85 CS 778Label side B
A-⊳ 884-933-1-AS-HRM STERLINGRunout Side A, variant 1
A-⊳ 884-933-1-BS-HRM STERLINGRunout Side B, variant 1
B ⌳ 884-933-I-AS-HRM I STERLINGRunout Side A, variant 2
IA - 2 ⌳ 884-933-I-BS-HRM STERLINGRunout Side B, variant 2
SRC 884-933-7-86-CS-851-SP1 STERLINGRunout Side A
SRC 884-933-7-85-CS-778-SP1 STERLINGRunout Side B
86 CS 851Label Side A
85 CS 778Label Side B
884-933-1-A-RCA1Runout Side A
884-933-1-B-RCA1Runout Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australasia | Mercury 884 933-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Australia | Mercury 884 933-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | PolyGram PMSX 2First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | Mercury PMS 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1986 | Canada | Mercury PMSX 2 / Atlanta Artists PMSX 2First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1986 | Canada | Mercury PMS 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 884 933-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | Mercury 884 933-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | France | Mercury 884 933-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Germany | Mercury 884 933-1 / Atlanta Artists 884 933-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Germany | Mercury 884 933-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | Mercury 884 933-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Germany | Mercury 884 933-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Guatemala | Mercury 884 933-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Hungary | Artisjus 884-923-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | UK | Old Gold OG 423312", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
46 vinyl pressings of Word Up! are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1986 and 1992.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is Atlanta Artists 884 933-7, released August 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 884 933-7, 884 933-1, 884 933-1 (AS), 884 933-7 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRC 884-933-7-86-CS-851-SP1 STERLING and SRC 884-933-7-85-CS-778-SP1 STERLING. 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.
