Vinyl pressings
by Curiosity Killed The Cat · 1989
Getahead was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 9 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.
8420101 A-1U-1-1 TY1Runout, side A, stamped (variant 1)
8420101 A-2U-1-1 TY1Runout, side A, stamped (variant 2)
8420101 B-2U-1-1 TY1Runout, side B, stamped (variant 1)
8420101 B-2U-1-1 TY1Runout, side b, stamped (variant 2)
422842010-1AS VLADO Emw 05666Side A
42282010-1BS Emw 05666XSide B
842 010 1 S1 = 1 670 07 1 111Runout Side A, Variant 1
842 010 1 S2 = 1 670 07 129Runout Side B, Variant 1
842 010 1 S1 = 1 670 07 1 217Runout Side A, Variant 2
842 010 1 S2 = 1 670 07 1 116Runout Side B, Variant 2
MER 842010 A MT410 3067Runout side A
MER 842010 B MT410 3067Runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australasia | Mercury 842 010-1First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1989 | Canada | Vertigo 842 010-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Europe | Mercury 842 010 1 / Phonogram 842 010 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Greece | Mercury 842 010 1 / Phonogram 842 010 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Greece | Mercury 842 010 1 / Phonogram 842 010 1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1989 | South Africa | Mercury STARL 5583 / Phonogram STARL 5583First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Spain | Mercury 842 010 1 / Phonogram 842 010 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | Mercury 842 010-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | US | Mercury 842 010 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Yugoslavia | Mercury 842010 / PGP RTB 221074First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of Getahead are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, US, Australasia, Canada and more. One of them is Mercury 842 010-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 842 010-1, 842 010 1, STARL 5583, 842010) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 8420101 A-1U-1-1 TY1 and 8420101 A-2U-1-1 TY1. 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.
