Vinyl pressings
by Chris de Burgh · 1982
The Getaway 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.
31 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 18 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&M SP04929A-RCA2A Side Etched Variant 1
A&M SP04929B-RCA2B Side Etched Variant 1
A&M SP04929A-RCA1A Side Etched Variant 2
A&M SP04929B-RCA1B Side Etched Variant 2
A&M SP 04929A- ▓ ▓ ▓ES1 - EMWRunout etching, side A
A&M SP 04929B-ES3 - EMWRunout etching, side B
SP-04929-ALabel, side A
SP-04929-BLabel, side B
A&M SP04929A-ES1" EMWA Side, etched, variant 1
A&M SP04929B-ES3" EMWB Side, etched, variant 1
A&M SP04929A-RCA scratched out ES1 EMWA Side, etched, variant 2
A&M SP04929B-ES3 EMWB Side, etched, variant 2
A&M SP-04929A-MON1 M2 ̶2̶5̶9̶0̶0̶ 25915Runout A etched
A&M SP-04929B-MON1 M2- Δ - 2̶5̶9̶0̶0̶ -X 25915-XRunout B etched
(SP-04929-A)Label A
(SP-04929-B)Label B
AMLH 68549 A3Etched Side A runout variant 1
AMLH 68549 B2Etched Side B runout variant 1
AMLH 68549 A1Etched Side A runout variant 2
AMLH 68549 B1Etched Side B runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Argentina | A&M Records 20.422First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Australia | A&M Records L 37916First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Australia | A&M Records L-37916First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | A&M Records SP 9081First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | A&M Records SP 9081LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1982 | Canada | A&M Records SP-9081First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | A&M Records SP 9081First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 68549First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | A&M Records A&MCL 46 287 9 / A&M Records AMLH 68549LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1982 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 68549First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 68549First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | A&M Records A&MCL 46 287 9 / A&M Records AMLH 68549LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1982 | Europe | A&M Records 46 287 9LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1982 | Europe | A&M Records 394 929-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 68549First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-9081LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP 9081LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | A&M Records 394 929-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | A&M Records 394 929-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| ? | Israel | A&M Records AMLH 68549 / Helicon Records AMLH 68549LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Israel | A&M Records AMLH 68549 / Helicon Records AMLH 68549LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Israel | A&M Records AMLH 68549 / Helicon Records AMLH 68549LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
47 vinyl pressings of The Getaway are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1982 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-4929.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4929, SP-04929, AMLH 68549, 20.422) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A&M SP04929A-RCA2 and A&M SP04929B-RCA2. 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.
