Vinyl pressings
by Chris de Burgh · 1986
The Lady In Red 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.
68 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 20 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.
AM 331 A // 2 ▽ 420 T 2 1Side A, stamped, variant 1 & 2
AM 331 B // 2 ▽ 420 T 1 3Side B, stamped, variant 1 & 2
JA MHSide A, etched, variant 2
AM331 A//2▽420TRun-out matrix A-side stamped
AM 331 B//3▽420TRun-out matrix B-side stamped
AM 331 A // 1▽ 420 C 11 4 1Run-out, A-side, stamped
tim tomRun-out, A-side, etched
AM 331 B // 1▽ 420 C 11 1 1Run-out, B-side stamped
TYRun-out, B-side, etched
AM 331 A // 2▽ 420 T 1 2 JA 1 5Side A runout
AM 331 B // 1▽ 420 T 1 1 1 5Side B runout
AMY 331 A // 1 ▽ 420 C timtomSide A runout
AMY 331 B // 2 ▽ 420 T BILBO TAPE ONESide B runout
AMY 331 ASide A label
AMY 331 BSide B label
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 | Australia | A&M Records K-92First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia | A&M Records K-92First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Barbados | A&M Records AM-2848First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Brazil | A&M Records 392 114-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Canada | A&M Records AM-2848First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Canada | A&M Records AM-2848First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | Canada | A&M Records AM-2848First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | A&M Records 390114-7 / A&M Records 390 114-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | A&M Records 390114-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | France | A&M Records 390114-7 / A&M Records 390 114-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Germany | A&M Records 390 114-7 / A&M Records 390114-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | A&M Records 392 114-1 / A&M Records 392114-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Germany | A&M Records 390 114-7 / A&M Records 390114-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1986 | Germany | A&M Records 392 114-1 / A&M Records 392114-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Guatemala | A&M Records 390150-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
78 vinyl pressings of The Lady In Red are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1986 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Australia, Barbados and more. One of them is A&M Records AM 331, released July 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AM 331, AMY 331, AM331, AM-2848) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AM 331 A // 2 ▽ 420 T 2 1 and AM 331 B // 2 ▽ 420 T 1 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.
