Vinyl pressings
by Diana Ross · 1987
Dirty Looks 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.
30 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 15 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.
5172 - 7 - R A - 2 I STERLING Λ 1Runout A etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ I Λ 1 stamps)
5172-7-R - B - 1 I STERLING Λ 1Runout B etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ I Λ 1 stamps)
5172-7-R-ALabel A
5172-7-R-BLabel B
A-1 ᐉ 6416-I RD AS HRM STERLING TJRunout side A
A-1 ᐉ 6416-I RD BS HRM STERLING TJRunout side B
6416-1-RD-ALabel side A
6416-1-RD-BLabel side B
5172 - 7 - R - A STERLINGRunout etched/stamped side A
5172 - 7 - R - B STERLINGRunout etched/stamped side B
5172-7-R-ALabel side A
5172-7-R-BLabel side B
6416-I-RD AS ALLIED Q B-27469- ∆16528 1-1 STERLING TJA runout
6416-I-RD BS ALLIED Q B-274670 ∆16528-X 1-1 STERLING TJB runout
6416-1-RD-AA label
6416-1-RD-BB label
6416-1-RD AS ES EMW STERLING TJSide A
6416-1-RD BS ES EMW STERLING TJSide 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 | Australasia | EMI ED.273First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1987 | Australia | EMI EMI 1961First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Brazil | EMI 9951 044First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Canada | RCA Victor 6416-1-RDFirst year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1987 | Canada | RCA 5172-7-RFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI 1C K 060 20 1855 6 / EMI Electrola 1C K 060 20 1855 6First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI 1C 006-20 1842 7 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-20 1842 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | EMI 2018556First year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | France | EMI 2018427First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Italy | EMI 14 2018556First year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | Italy | EMI 06-2018427First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Japan | EMI EMS-17703First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | New Zealand | EMI EMI 882First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | New Zealand | EMI GOOD180First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1987 | Portugal | EMI 2018427First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
30 vinyl pressings of Dirty Looks are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is RCA 5172-7-R, released May 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5172-7-R, 6416-1-RD, 6416-1-RDAB, 5172-7-RAA) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5172 - 7 - R A - 2 I STERLING Λ 1 and 5172-7-R - B - 1 I STERLING Λ 1. 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.
