Vinyl pressings
by Chocolate Milk · 1975
Action Speaks Louder Than Words was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 7 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.
I >I PB-10290A-4Runout, side A, stamped, variant 1
I >I PB-10290B-3Runout, side B, stamped, variant 1
PB-10290A-4 I AIRunout, side A, stamped, variant 2
PB-10290B-3 AI A2Runout, side B, stamped, variant 2
PA - 10290 - A - 1 IStereo Side Stamped
PA - 10290 - C - 1 IMono Side Stamped
(PB 10290) PA - 10290 - ASide Stereo Label
(PB 10290). PA - 10290 - CSide Mono Label
PB-10290-ALabel Side A
PB-10290-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Canada | RCA Victor PB-10290First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | RCA Victor PB 10290First year7" | 7" |
| 1975 | Germany | RCA Victor PB-10290First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Jamaica | RCA Victor JH-10290First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Japan | RCA ss-2490First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1975 | Netherlands | RCA Victor PB 10290First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1975 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2592First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2592First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | RCA Victor PB-10290First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | RCA JH-10290First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1975 | US | RCA Victor PB-10290First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
11 vinyl pressings of Action Speaks Louder Than Words are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is RCA Victor PB-10290.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PB-10290, JH-10290, RCA 2592, PB 10290) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, I >I PB-10290A-4 and I >I PB-10290B-3. 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.
