Vinyl pressings
by Duran Duran · 1981
Planet Earth was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
38 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 18 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.
EMI 5137 A - 1U Ʊ JEFF RUM RUNNER 40 1Runout, A-side, stamped/etched, variant 1
EMI 5137 B - 3U 31 2 Ʊ JEFFRunout, B-side, stamped/etched, variant 1
EMI 5137 A - 1U Ʊ JEFF RUM RUNNERRunout, A-side, stamped/etched, variant 2
EMI 5137 B - 2U Ʊ JEFFRunout, B-side, stamped/etched, variant 2
EMI 5137 A - 1URunout, A-side, stamped
RUM RUNNER O PRunout, A-side, etched
EMI 5137 B - 3URunout, B-side, stamped
lyre symbol JEFFRunout, A & B-side, etched
EMI 5137 A - 1URunout, A-side, stamped
RUM RUNNERRunout, A-side, etched
EMI 5137 B - 3URunout, B-side, stamped
[Lyre symbol] JEFFRunout, A & B-side, etched
EMI 5137 A-1U [Lyre Utopia logo] JEFF RUMRUNNER 1 3 1Runout side A
[Lyre Utopia logo] JEFF EMI 5137 B-3U 3 C 1Runout side B
EMI 5137ALabel, A-side
EMI 5137BLabel, B-side
12 EMI 5137 A-2 ℧topiaA-side runout, variant 1
12 EMI 5137 B-2 ℧topia DURANIES ROCK-ONB-side runout, variant 1
12 EMI 5137 A-2 12 ℧topiaA-side runout, variant 2
12 EMI 5137 B-2 13 ℧topia DURANIES ROCK-ONB-side runout, variant 2
PSLP 331 A-1U 1 2Runout side A stamped
LPFB 2 6 9Runout side B stamped
12 EMI 5137 AMatrix label side A
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | EMI 1786First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Argentina | EMI 1786First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | EMI EMI-417First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Australia | EMI EMI-417 / EMI EMI 417First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Harvest A 5017First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ecuador | EMI 103-0202First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Ecuador | EMI 103-0202First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | France | EMI 2C 008-64296 / EMI 2C 008-64.296First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | EMI 2C052-52893 Z / EMI 2C 052 - 52.893 ZFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | EMI 642967", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Germany | EMI 1 C 006-64 296 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-64 296First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Ireland | EMI EMI 5137First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | EMI EMI 5137First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Italy | EMI 3C 006-64296First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 006-64296First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | US | Not On Label (Duran Duran) BSTAR-0212", Unofficial Release, Single Sided · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release, Single Sided · Unofficial |
| 2006 | US | Not On Label (Duran Duran) planete00112", Unofficial Release, Single Sided · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release, Single Sided · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label (Duran Duran) planete 00112", Single Sided, White Label, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", Single Sided, White Label, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
48 vinyl pressings of Planet Earth are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1981 and 2006.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Philippines, Japan and more. One of them is EMI EMI 5137, released February 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 5137, 12 EMI 5137, PSLP 331, A5017) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 5137 A - 1U Ʊ JEFF RUM RUNNER 40 1 and EMI 5137 B - 3U 31 2 Ʊ JEFF. 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.
