Vinyl pressings
by Elkie Brooks · 1981
Pearls 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.
11 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 7 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.
ELK 1981 F A4 X TOWNHOUSERunout, A-side, variant 1
ELK 1981 B4 X TOWNHOUSERunout, B-side, variant 1
ELK 1981 A2 TOWNHOUSERunout, A-side, variant 2
ELK 1981 B1 TOWNHOUSERunout, B-side, variant 2
ELK 1981 F A4 TOWNHOUSE MPOSide A runout, etched/stamped. Var. 1
ELK 1981 F B5 TOWNHOUSE MPOSide B runout, etched/stamped. Var. 1
ELK 1981 F A5 TOWNHOUSE MPOSide A runout, etched/stamped. Var. 2
ELK 1981 B4 TOWNHOUSE MPOSide B runout, etched/stamped. Var. 2
ELK 1981 A2 TOWN HOUSE DSide A runout
ELK 1981 B3 TOWN HOUSE CSide B runout
ELK 1981-ALabel, A-side
ELK 1981-BLabel, A-side
ELK 1981 A - 11Runout side A, etched, variant 1
ELK 1981 B - 11Runout side B, etched, variant 1
ELK 1981 A II 2 4 CRunout side A, etched, variant 2
ELK 1981 B-II D 2 JRunout side B, etched, variant 2
ELK 1981 A // 2 ▽ 420 V 1 1 2Runout, A-side, stamped
ELK 1981 B // 2 ▽ 420 V 1 1 3Runout, B-side, stamped
ELK 1981-ALabel, A-side
ELK 1981-BLabel, B-side
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 | Australia | A&M Records L-37733 / A&M Records L 37733First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 20116First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | A&M Records ELK 1981First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | New Zealand | A&M Records L 37733First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Portugal | A&M Records 2PSP-20116First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | South Africa | A&M Records ELK 1981First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records ELK 1981First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records ELK 1981First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records ELK 1981First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records ELK 1981First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records ELK 1981First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Greece | A&M Records AMLH-20116LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2221373LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
13 vinyl pressings of Pearls are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, Europe, Ireland and more. One of them is A&M Records ELK 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ELK 1981, L-37733, AMLH 20116, L 37733) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ELK 1981 F A4 X TOWNHOUSE and ELK 1981 B4 X TOWNHOUSE. 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.
