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.
21 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
A-⊳ 422-830-265-1-AS-HRM / STERLINGRunout Side A
A-⊳ 422-830-265-1-BS-HRM / STERLINGRunout Side B
ᐉ STERLINGRunout Side A&B Stamped
B- 422-830-265-1-AS-HRM2Runout Side A Etched Variant 1
D- 422-830-265-1-BS-HRM3Runout Side B Etched Variant 1
B- 422-830-265-1-AS-HRM1 ☆Runout Side A Etched Variant 2
422-830-265-1-AS-CC G1 A 11 ☆ SterlingSide A runout
422-830-265-1-BS-CC G1 ☆ Sterling C2Side B runout
422-830-265-1-A -RCA I STERLING A2Side A runout etched, except STERLING, A2 stamped - variant 1
422-830-265-1-B-RCA I STERLING I A1Side B runout etched, except STERLING, A1 stamped - variant 1
422-830-265-1- A ▓-RCA I STERLING Λ 2RSide A runout etched, except stamped STERLING - variant 2
422-830-265-1-B ▓-RCA I STERLING Λ 3ASide B runout etched, except stamped STERLING - variant 2
422-830-265-1-A-SP 1-2 STERLINGRunout Side A
MASTERED BY TRUTONE 422-830-265-1-B 1-1Runout Side B
422-830-265-1-A -RCA I STERLING A2[Variant 1] Side A runout etched, except STERLING, A2 stamped
422-830-265-1-B-RCA I STERLING I A1[Variant 1] Side B runout etched, except STERLING, A1 stamped
Λ1C 422-830-265-1-A■ - RCA1 STERLING ɪ[Variant 2] Side A - runout
Λ3B 422-830-265-1-B■ - RCA1 STERLING ɪ[Variant 2] Side B - runout
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 830 265-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Brazil | Mercury 830 265-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Mercury 830 265-1 / Atlanta Artists 830 265-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 830 265-1 / Atlanta Artists 830 265-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | Mercury 830 265-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | Mercury 830 265-1 / PolyGram Greece 830 265-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | Mercury 830 265-1 / PolyGram Greece 830 265-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1986 | Israel | Mercury 830 265-1 / Phonokol 830 265-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Italy | Mercury 830 265-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | Casablanca R28C-2005 / Atlanta Artists R28C-2005First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | Netherlands | Atlanta Artists 830 265-1 M-1 / Atlanta Artists 422-830 265-1 M-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Philippines | Atlanta Artists 830 265-1 M-1 / Mercury LP-830 265-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Club JABH 19 / Club 830 265-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Atlanta Artists 830 265-1 M-1 / Atlanta Artists 422-830 265-1 M-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Atlanta Artists 422-830 265-1 M-1 / Atlanta Artists 830 265-1 M-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Atlanta Artists 830 265-1 M-1 / Atlanta Artists 422-830 265-1 M-1LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
24 vinyl pressings of Word Up! are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is Atlanta Artists 830 265-1 M-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 830 265-1 M-1, 422-830 265-1 M-1, 830 265-1, JABH 19) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A-⊳ 422-830-265-1-AS-HRM / STERLING and A-⊳ 422-830-265-1-BS-HRM / 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.
