Vinyl pressings
by Demis Roussos · 1981
Race To The End was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
6000 660 1W 1 ℗1981 670 06Side A - Runout groove
6000 660 2W 1 ℗1978 670 06Side B - Runout groove
6000 660. 1Side A - Label
6000 660. 2Side B - Label
ST-TW-48295-1 F/W(scratched out) MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK(stamped) ₵ SRC(logo)A and AA Runouts Identical
ST-TW-48295-SPA and AA Labels
ST-TW-48295-1 F̶/̶W̶ MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK ₵ [SRC logo]A and AA Runouts
ST-TW-48295-SPA and AA Labels
ST-TW-48295-ARA and AA Labels
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Austria | Mercury 6000 673First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Bolivia | Mercury MRS-34-17 / Mercury MRS - 34-17First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Philips 6000 678First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Mercury 6000 673First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 238 / Polydor 2059 335First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Mercury 6000 660First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Portugal | Mercury 6000 673First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 238First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 238First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | 21 Records 7-99625First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | 21 Records 7-99625First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | 21 Records 7-99625First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
12 vinyl pressings of Race To The End are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Netherlands, UK, US, Austria and more. One of them is Mercury 6000 660.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6000 660, POSP 238, 7-99625, 6000 673) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6000 660 1W 1 ℗1981 670 06 and 6000 660 2W 1 ℗1978 670 06. 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.
