Vinyl pressings
by Donna Allen · 1986
Serious was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
STDM 50635|50638-1 1-1 STERLING [SRC logo]Side A, Etching except 'STERLING' and 'SRC' logo which are stamped
STDM 50636-1 1-2 STERLING [SRC logo]Side B, Etching except 'STERLING' and 'SRC' logo which are stamped
ST-TW-50635-SPA-side label
ST-TW-50638-SPB-side label
ST-TW-50635-ARA-side label
ST-TW-50638-ARB-side label
STTW 50635-2 Ɑ R-16742-2A-side runout
STTW 50638-2 Ɑ R-16743-2B-side runout
ST-TW-50635-ARA-side label
ST-TW-50635-ARB-side label
ST DM 50636-2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-25623-2 △14558 1-1 Runout Side A Etched, variant 1
ST DM 50635/50638-2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-25625-2 △14559-X 1-1 Runout Side B Etched, variant 1
ST DM 50636-2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-25623-2 △14558 1-1 STERLINGRunout Side A Etched, variant 2
STDM 50635/50638-2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-25625-2 △14559-X 1-1 STERLINGRunout Side B Etched, variant 2
[Sterling] [SRC Logo] STDM 50636-1 1-1Runout Side A, Except [Stamped]
[Sterling] [SRC Logo] STDM 50635-50637-1 1-2Runout Side B, Except [Stamped]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | RCA Victor TDS-385First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Germany | Top Seller TSR 520102First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Jamaica | Atlantic 7-99497First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Netherlands | 21 Records 2.148 / 21 Records 2148First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1986 | Netherlands | 21 Records 21.048 / 21 Records 21 048First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | New Zealand | RCA 104681First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | US | 21 Records 0-96794First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | 21 Records DMD 980First year12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | 21 Records 7-99497First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | US | 21 Records 7-99497First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | 21 Records 7-99497First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | US | 21 Records 7-99497First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | 21 Records DMD 98012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | US | 21 Records 7-99497First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | 21 Records 0-96794First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Netherlands | High Fashion Music MS-51812", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 2023 | Netherlands | High Fashion Music MS 51812", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | RCA Victor 1046817", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | 21 Records 7-994977", 45 RPM, Repress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Repress, Stereo |
37 vinyl pressings of Serious are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1986 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, Australia, Germany, Jamaica and more. One of them is 21 Records 0-96794.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 0-96794, 7-99497, DMD 980, TDS-385) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STDM 50635|50638-1 1-1 STERLING [SRC logo] and STDM 50636-1 1-2 STERLING [SRC logo]. 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.
