Vinyl pressings
by Chas Sandford · 1982
Parallax View was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 5 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.
B-16574-A2 RE EL-COMO - A -2 RE -SH-AR Precision + SLM △ 1224Runout area side A
B-16575-B2 RE EL-COMO - B -2 RE -SH-AR Precision + SLM △ 1224 xRunout area side B
E1-60110-ALabel side A
E1-60110-BLabel side B
EL-60110-A-RE-SP 1-1 PRECISIONSide A Runout - Etched
EL-60110-B-RE-SP 1-1SM1-1 PRECISIONSide B Runout - Etched
E1-60110-ASide A Label
E1-60110-BSide B Label
B 16574-A2 RE EL-COMO - A -2 RE -SP PrecisionRunout area side A
B 16575-B2 RE EL-COMO - B -2 RE -SP- PrecisionRunout area side B
E1-60110-ALabel side A
E1-60110-BLabel side B
E1-60110-A (AR)Label side A
E1-60110-B (AR)Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Canada | Elektra XEI-60110-AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | France | Elektra ELK 52 393First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Elektra ELK 52 393 / Elektra ELK K 52 593LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Elektra ELK 52 393First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Italy | Elektra ELK 52 393First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Elektra E1-60110First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Elektra E1-60110First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Elektra E1-60110LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | US | Elektra E1-60110First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Elektra E1-60110First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of Parallax View are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, Canada, France, Germany and more. One of them is Elektra E1-60110.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use E1-60110, XEI-60110-A, ELK 52 393) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, B-16574-A2 RE EL-COMO - A -2 RE -SH-AR Precision + SLM △ 1224 and B-16575-B2 RE EL-COMO - B -2 RE -SH-AR Precision + SLM △ 1224 x. 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.
