Vinyl pressings
by Demon · 1982
The Unexpected Guest was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. 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 1982, the album's first year, in 6 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.
CAL 139 A - 1U- 1 - 1 5Side A stamped, variant 1
CAL 139 B - 1U- 1 - 1-3Side B stamped, variant 1
CAL 139 A - 1U- 1 - 1 – 8Side A stamped, variant 2
CAL 139 B - 1U- 1 - 2 – 1Side B stamped, variant 2
CAL 139 A§Side A label
CAL 139 B§Side B label
CAL 139 A - 1U- 1 - 1Vinyl 1
CAL 139 B - 1U- 1 - 1Vinyl 2
CAL 139 A - 1U- 1 - 1 5Side A
CAL 139 B - 1U- 1 - 1-3Side B
P-11284-1 〄 CS 2S9X Y l - A - 2Runout, Side 1, Variant 2
P-11284-2 l - A - lRunout, Side 2, Variant 2
P-11284-1A side
P-11284-2B side
67906/1Matrix Side A
67906/2Matrix Side B
67906 ARunout Side A - Variant 1
67906 BRunout Side B - Variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | France | Carrere 67.906 / Clay Records 67906First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | France | Carrere 67.906 / Clay Records 67906First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1982 | Germany | Carrere 2934 149First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon GmbH 2934 149 S1 320First yearLP, Album, Mispress, Stereo | LP, Album, Mispress, Stereo |
| 1982 | Italy | Carrere Cre 25153First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | Carrere CALS 139 / Clay Records CALS 139First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | South Korea | High Stereo Light J. 216LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1982 | UK | Carrere CAL 139 / Clay Records CAL 139First yearLP, Album, Mispress, Stereo | LP, Album, Mispress, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Carrere CAL 139First yearLP, Single Sided, Album, White Label | LP, Single Sided, Album, White Label |
| 1982 | UK | Carrere CAL 139 / Clay Records CAL 139First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | UK | Carrere CAL 139 / Clay Records CAL 139First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | Carrere P-11284First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Japan | Carrere P-11284First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Greece | Carrere 14C 064-65045LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | Carrere 67906LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | UK | Sonic SONIC LP 2LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UK | Back On Black RCV088LP / Rock Classics RCV088LPLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2013 | UK | Back On Black RCV088LPLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | UK | Spaced Out Music SPACEDLP002LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | UK | Spaced Out Music SPACEDLP002LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Limited, Colored vinyl |
24 vinyl pressings of The Unexpected Guest are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1982 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, Japan, France, Germany and more. One of them is Carrere CAL 139, released July 2, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CAL 139, P-11284, 67.906, 2934 149) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CAL 139 A - 1U- 1 - 1 5 and CAL 139 B - 1U- 1 - 1-3. 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.
