Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Costello & The Attractions · 1983
Everyday I Write The Book 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.
22 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 11 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.
XX 32 A-1U-1-2-3 BILBO.TAPE.ONESide A variant 1
XX 32 B-1U-1-1-27 BILBO.TAPE.ONESide B variant 1
XX 32 A-1U-1-1-5 BILBO.TAPE.ONESide A variant 2
XX 32 B-1U-1-1-5 BILBO.TAPE.ONESide B variant 2
XX 32T-A-1 U -1-1 BILBO TAPE ONESide A runout, variant 1
XX 32T-B-1U-1-1 BILBO TAPE ONESide B runout, variant 1
XX 32T A-1U-1-1 1 1 BILBO TAPE ONESide A runout, variant 2
XX 32T B-1U-1-1 1 3 BILBO TAPE ONESide B runout, variant 2
XX 32T A-2U-1-1 ARUN
XX 32T B-1U-1-2 BILBO TAPE ONE
BILBO TAPEONE XX32 A 1U-1-1-1Side A runout
BILBO TAPEONE XX32 B 1U-1-1-1Side B runout
P ZSS171318-1BRunout A; stamped, P is etched, variant 1
P ZSS171319-1BRunout B; stamped, P is etched, variant 1
P ZSS171318-1ARunout A; stamped, P is etched, variant 2
P ZSS171319-1BRunout B; stamped, P is etched, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia & New Zealand | F-Beat 104162First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Columbia 38-04045First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | France | RCA Victor PC 61238 / F-Beat PC 61238First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | RCA Victor ZB 68082 / F-Beat ZB 68082First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Germany | F-Beat ZB 68082First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Germany | F-Beat ZB 680827", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Germany | RCA ZB 680827", Single, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo | 7", Single, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo |
| 1983 | Ireland | F-Beat XX 32First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | F-Beat XX 32First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Mexico | Musart MI 30970First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | F-Beat XX 32 / F-Beat XX32First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 104162First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Spain | RCA Victor ZB-68082 / F-Beat ZB-68082First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Spain | F-Beat ZB-68082First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | F-Beat XX 32 / F-Beat XX32First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
24 vinyl pressings of Everyday I Write The Book are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Canada, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is F-Beat XX 32.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use XX 32, XX 32T, XX 32T RE MIX, 44 04115) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XX 32 A-1U-1-2-3 BILBO.TAPE.ONE and XX 32 B-1U-1-1-27 BILBO.TAPE.ONE. 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.
