Vinyl pressings
by Def Leppard · 1987
Animal was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
44 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 19 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.
LEPX 1 A//1▽420 H TOWNHOUSESide A runout, variant 1
LEPX 1 B //1▽420H TOWNHOUSESide B runout, variant 1
LEPX 1 A//2▽420 H TOWNHOUSESide A runout, variant 2
LEPX 1 B //2▽420H TOWNHOUSESide B runout, variant 2
LEP 1 A//1▽420 H TOWNHOUSEVariant 1 - A-side runout
LEP 1 B//1▽420 H TOWNHOUSEVariant 1 - B-side runout
LEP 1 A//2▽420 H TOWNHOUSEVariant 2 - A-side runout
LEP 1 B//2▽420 H TOWNHOUSEVariant 2 - B-side runout
LEP 1 A//1▼420 H TOWNHOUSERunout side A
LEP 1 B//2▼420 H TOWNHOUSERunout side B
LEP 1 A//1▽420 H TOWNHOUSEVariant 1 - A-side runout
LEP 1 B//1▽420 H TOWNHOUSEVariant 1 - B-side runout
LEP 1 A//1▼420 H TOWNHOUSERunout Side A
LEP 1 B//1▼420 H TOWNHOUSERunout Side B
LEP 1 A//2▼420 H TOWNHOUSERunout Side A
LEP 1 B//2▼420 H TOWNHOUSERunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | PolyGram 888 736-1 / Mercury 888 736-1First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1987 | Argentina | PolyGram 888 736-1First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Australasia | Mercury 888 736-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Australasia | Mercury 888 736-1 / Bludgeon Riffola 888 736-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Australasia | Mercury 888 736-7 / Bludgeon Riffola 888 736-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Australasia | Bludgeon Riffola 887 736-7First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Australasia | Mercury 888 736-1 / Bludgeon Riffola 888 736-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Brazil | Mercury 2801 235First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Canada | Bludgeon Riffola LEP 101 / Vertigo LEP 101First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1987 | Canada | Vertigo SOV 2399 / Bludgeon Riffola SOV 2399First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Mercury 888 736-7 / Bludgeon Riffola 888 736-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Bludgeon Riffola 888 736-1 / Mercury 888 736-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1987 | France | Bludgeon Riffola 888 736-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | France | Bludgeon Riffola 6837 925First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Germany | Mercury 888 852-7 / Bludgeon Riffola 888 852-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Bludgeon Riffola LEPX116", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 16", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
45 vinyl pressings of Animal are listed here, from 19 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, South Africa, Zimbabwe and more. One of them is Bludgeon Riffola LEPX 1, released July 20, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LEPX 1, LEPC 1, LEP 1, ADV1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LEPX 1 A//1▽420 H TOWNHOUSE and LEPX 1 B //1▽420H TOWNHOUSE. 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.
