Vinyl pressings
by Elkie Brooks · 1982
Pearls II was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 5 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 1982 A3 TOWNHOUSE 4 2Runout side A (variant 1) etched and stamped
ELK 1982 B3 D TOWNHOUSERunout side B (variant 1) etched and stamped
ELK 1982 A3 ( ) TOWNHOUSE 5 1Runout side A (variant 2) etched and stamped
ELK 1982 B2 D TOWNHOUSERunout side B (variant 2) etched and stamped
[Stamped] 19-20126-2A-1 [Etched] Tone A :NL:Side A, variant 1
[Stamped] 19-20126-1B-1 [Etched] :NL: ASide B, variant 1
[Stamped] 19-20126-1A-1 [Etched] Tone A :NL:Side A, variant 2
[Stamped] 19-20126-1B-1 [Etched] A :NL:Side B, variant 2
19 20126 2A 1
19 20126 1B 1
19-20126-1A-1 :NL: A toneSide A runout, variant 1
19-20126-2B-1 :NL: ASide B runout, variant 1
19-20126-2A-1 tone A :NL:Side A runout, variant 2
19-20126-2B-1 :NL: ASide B runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 20126First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | A&M Records AMLE 20126First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 20126First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Portugal | A&M Records AMLE 20126First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | South Africa | A&M Records ELK 1982First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | A&M Records AMLH 20126First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | UK | A&M Records ELK 1982First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2221861 / A&M Records ELK 1982LP, Album, Misprint, Repress | LP, Album, Misprint, Repress |
| 1983 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2221861 / A&M Records ELK 1982LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2221861 / A&M Records ELK 1982LP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of Pearls II are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1982 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, Europe, Portugal, South Africa and more. One of them is A&M Records ELK 1982, released October 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ELK 1982, AMLH 20126, AMLE 20126) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ELK 1982 A3 TOWNHOUSE 4 2 and ELK 1982 B3 D 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.
