Vinyl pressings
by Con Funk Shun · 1977
Secrets was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 4 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.
SRM-1-1180-A9CPRunout side A, etched
SRM-1-1180-B9CPRunout side B, etched
SRM-1-1180 AMatrix side A, on label
SRM-1-1180 BMatrix side B, on label
SRM-1-1180-A1CT 1T BA-side runout etching, variant 1
SRM-1-1180-B1CT 2T CB-side runout etching, variant 1
SRM-1-1180-A2CT 1T AA-side runout etching, variant 2
SRM-1-1180-B1CT 2T CB-side runout etching, variant 2
SRM-1-1180-A8CS S2 A7Runout side A, etched
SRM-1-1180-B7CS S2 A1Runout side B, etched
SRM-1-1180 AMatrix side A, on label
SRM-1-1180 BMatrix side B, on label
SRM-1-1180-A9CPRunout side A, variant 1
SRM-1-1180-B9CPRunout side B, variant 1
SRM-1-1180-A4CPRunout side A, variant 2
SRM-1-1180-B4CPRunout side B, variant 2
9100043 1V//1 420 04 I I ISide A runout
9100043 2V//1 420 04 I I 1Side B runout
6338 826.1Label side A
6338 826.2Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Netherlands | Mercury 6338 826First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Mercury 6338 826First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Mercury 9100 043First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1180First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1180First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1180First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1180LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1977 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1180First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Australia | Mercury 6338 826LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Mercury RJ-7333LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | Mercury RJ-7333LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Spain | Mercury 6338 826LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Secrets are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Netherlands, New Zealand. One of them is Mercury SRM-1-1180.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SRM-1-1180, 9100 043, 6338 826) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRM-1-1180-A9CP and SRM-1-1180-B9CP. 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.
