Vinyl pressings
by Demon · 1983
The Plague was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. 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 1983, the album's first year, in 7 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.
THANKS WALLABY. BILBO TAPE ONE CLAY-LP 6 A. PAGSide A runout etched
WELL DONE MENDLEWOLLOP! BILBO TAPE ONE CLAY-LP 6 B. PAGSide B runout etched
CLAY-LP 6 A1 BILBO TAPE ONE THANKS WALLABY PAGSide A runout etched
CLAY-LP 6 B1 BILBO TAPE ONE WELL DONE MENDLEWOLLOP! PAGSide B runout etched
THANKS WALLABY. BILBO TAPE ONE CLAY-LP 6 A. PAGSide A
NEIL DONE MEDLEWOLLOP! BILBO TAPE ONE CLAY-LP 6 B. PAGSide B
ST-A 835365-A @tGP [SRC logo] B-18938-A △ 6008 0- 12 SPARRunout A, etched; [SRC logo] stamped
ST-A-835366-E @tGP [SRC logo] B-18939-E △ 6008-X 0- 12 SPARRunout B, etched; [SRC logo] stamped
ST-A-835365-ARA Label
ST-A-835366-ARB Label
ST-A 835365-A @tGP [SRC logo stamped]Runout, side A, etched
ST-A 835366-E @tGP [SRC logo stamped]Runout, side B, etched
ST-A-835365-SPLabel, side A
ST-A-835366-SPLabel, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Unknown | Clay Records CLAY LP6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Benelux | Roadrunner Records RR9904First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Atlantic 780 130-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Roadrunner Records RR 9904First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Clay Records CLAY LP6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Clay Records CLAY LP 6 / Clay Records CLAY LP6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Clay Records CLAY LP6PFirst yearLP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1983 | UK | Clay Records CLAY LP 6LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | US | Atlantic 80130-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Atlantic 80130-1 / Atlantic 7 80130-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Atlantic ST-A 835365LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | US | Atlantic 80130-1First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Japan | Atlantic P-11465First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Atlantic P-11465First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | Sonic Records SONICLP 3LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UK | Back On Black RCV089LP12", Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2013 | UK | Back On Black RCV089LP12", Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
17 vinyl pressings of The Plague are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1983 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Japan, Benelux and more. One of them is Clay Records CLAY LP 6.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CLAY LP 6, CLAY LP6P, CLAY LP6, 80130-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, THANKS WALLABY. BILBO TAPE ONE CLAY-LP 6 A. PAG and WELL DONE MENDLEWOLLOP! BILBO TAPE ONE CLAY-LP 6 B. PAG. 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.
