Vinyl pressings
by Electric Light Orchestra · 1983
Secret Messages was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
47 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 25 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.
JET-LX 527-A1 TIMTOMA-side runout (var. 1)
JET-LX 527-B1B-side runout (var. 1)
JET-LX-527-A-3 timtom cbsA-side runout (var. 2)
JET-LX. 527-B1 TYB-side runout (var. 2)
JET-LX 527-A1 TIMTOMA-side
JET-LX 527-B1B-side
MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. 0Stamped Both Sides
PAL-38490-1F ["Flower"] B3 G1Side A Etched Variant 1
PBL-38490-1D ["Flower"] B5 G1Side B Etched Variant 1
PAL-38490-1F ["Flower"] B15 G1Side A Etched Variant 2
P o PAL-38490-1A ❀ – MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ, L.A., CALIF.Runout A, variant 1
P o PBL-38490-1H ❀ – MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ, L.A., CALIF.Runout B, variant 1
P o PAL-38490-1A ❀ – MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ, L.A., CALIF.Runout A, variant 2
P o PBL-38490-1C ❀ – MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ, L.A., CALIF.Runout B, variant 2
PAL-38490-1A ❀ MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIFSide A runout
PAL-38490-1H ❀ MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIFSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Argentina | CBS 20.408 / Columbia 20.408First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Argentina | CBS 20.408 / Columbia 20.408First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Australia | Jet Records JT 6035First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia | Jet Records JT 6035First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Australia | Jet Records JT 6035First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia | Jet Records JT6035First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Bolivia | CBS 20360 / CBS SLP 20360First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Brazil | Epic 144798 / Epic 144.798First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Colombia | Epic 19362First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Costa Rica | Epic 1033216First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Jet Records JETLX 527First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Jet Records JETCL 400705 / Jet Records JETLX 527LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1983 | Europe | Jet Records JETLX 527First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Jet Records JETLX 527First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Jet Records JETLX 527First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Europe | Epic 19075837691 / Legacy 19075837691LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2018 | US | Epic 19075837691 / Legacy 19075837691LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Epic EPC 462487 1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | Epic EPC 462487 1 / Epic JETLX 527LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Jet Records HZ 48490LP, Album | LP, Album |
57 vinyl pressings of Secret Messages are listed here, from 26 countries, released between 1983 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Jet Records JETLX 527, released June 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JETLX 527, QZ 38490, AL 38490, 20.408) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, JET-LX 527-A1 TIMTOM and JET-LX 527-B1. 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.
