Vinyl pressings
by Diana Ross · 1982
Silk Electric 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.
30 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 24 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.
AFL1 4384 A I STERLING TJ Λ1FVariation 1 : Runout Side A
AFL1 4384 B-2 I STERLING TJ 91CVariation 1 : Runout Side B
AFL 1 4384 A - 3 I STERLING A 6 QVariation 2 : Runout Side A
AFL 1 4384 B - 3 I STERLING A 4Variation 2 : Runout Side B
EAST 1 27313-1-1-1 EST1 27313-1-1-1- STERLINGSide A runout, stamped variant 1
EAST 2 27313-2-1-2-4 EST2 27313=2-1- STERLINGSide B runout, stamped, variant 1
EAST 1 27313-2-1-1- STERLING EST1 27313-2-1-1-Side A runout, variant 2
EAST 2 27313-5-1-1-1Side B runout, variant 2
SLEM- 1093-1 30-IX-82 JEEtched side A
SLEM- 1093-2 29-IX-82 JEEtched 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Argentina | Capitol Records ST-2-27313First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Australia | Capitol Records ST-27313First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Australia | Capitol Records ST-27313First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Barbados | Capitol Records ST-27313First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C064400130DFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C 064 400130 D / Capitol Records 31C 064 400130DFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | RCA AFL1-4384First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | Capitol Records 1A 064-400130First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | Capitol Records 1A 064-400130 / Capitol Records 1 A 064-400130First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | France | Capitol Records 2C 070-400130First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | Capitol Records 14C 064-400130First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | Capitol Records 14C 064-400130LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Ireland | Capitol Records EAST 27313 / Capitol Records OC 062-400-130First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Israel | Capitol Records ST 27313First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Italy | Capitol Records 3C 064-57027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Capitol Records 1C 038-15 7654 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Mozambique | Classics For Pleasure ST(B)27313LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Taiwan | 佳佳唱片 JKA-8018LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
37 vinyl pressings of Silk Electric are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1982 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Mexico, Argentina and more. One of them is RCA AFL1-4384.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AFL1-4384, EAST 27313, SLEM-1093, ST-2-27313) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AFL1 4384 A I STERLING TJ Λ1F and AFL1 4384 B-2 I STERLING TJ 91C. 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.
