Vinyl pressings
by Duran Duran · 1985
Save A Prayer was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. 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 1985, 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.
2005036-A1+CRun-out Side A, machine-stamped
2005036-B3+CRun-out Side B, machine-stamped
1C K 060-20 0503 1 ALabel Side A [erroneus]
1C K 060-20 0503 1 BLabel Side B [erroneus]
2005036-A1+CSide A, runout, machine-stamped
2005036-B3+CSide A, runout, machine-stamped
1C K 060-20 0503 1 ASide A, label [erroneous]
1C K 060-20 0503 1 BSide B, label [erroneous]
2005036-A1+CRunout side A, variant 1
2005036-A3+CRunout side B, variant 1
2005036-A1+CRunout side A, variant 2
2005036-B3+CRunout side B, variant 2
S45-B5438-X600400-B F-1 #1 0 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallySide A runout etched; final '0', MASTERED BY CAPITOL stamped [Variant 1]
S45-B5438-X600856-A F-1 #2 0 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallySide B runout etched; final '0', MASTERED BY CAPITOL stamped [Variant 1]
S45-B5438-X600400-B F-1 #2 0 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallySide A runout etched; final '0', MASTERED BY CAPITOL stamped [Variant 2]
S45-B5438-X600856-A F-1 #1 0 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallySide B runout etched; final '0', MASTERED BY CAPITOL stamped [Variant 2]
S45-B-5438-X600400-B F-2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRun-out Side A
S45-B-5438-X600856-A F-2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRun-out Side B
S45-B-5438-X600400-B F-1 #1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally 0Run-out Side A, variant
S45-B-5438-X600856-A F-1 #2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally 0Run-out Side B, variant
SPRO-9314 F-1 #1 (X600400-B/X600400) 0 WallySide A, runout, handwritten-etched
SPRO-9315 F-1 #1 (X600856-A/X600856) 0 WallySide B, runout, handwritten-etched
MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A+B, runout, machine-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Europe | Parlophone 1C K 060-20 0503 6 / EMI 1C K 060 20 0503 6First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Japan | EMI EMS-175317", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Canada | Capitol Records B-5438First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Canada | Capitol Records B-5438First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Parlophone 1C K 060 20 0503 6 / EMI 1C K 060 20 0503 6First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Parlophone 1C K 060 20 0503 6 / EMI 1C K 060 20 0503 6First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Parlophone 1C 006 20 0502 7 / EMI 1C 006 20 0502 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Parlophone 1C 006 20 0502 7First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Greece | EMI 052-2007 166 / EMI 052-2007166First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Mispress | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Mispress |
| 1985 | US | Capitol Records B-5438First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | US | Capitol Records P-B-5438 / Capitol Records 7-PRO-9330First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Capitol Records SPRO-9314 / Capitol Records SPRO-9315First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Japan | EMI EMS-17531First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Japan | EMI EMS-17531First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Japan | EMI EMS-17531First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
15 vinyl pressings of Save A Prayer are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Europe, US, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Parlophone 1C K 060 20 0503 6, released January 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1C K 060 20 0503 6, 1C K 060-20 0503 6, B-5438, P-B-5438) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2005036-A1+C and 2005036-B3+C. 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.
