Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Costello & The Attractions · 1982
Imperial Bedroom 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.
24 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 15 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.
XXLP 17 A-1 F1 7-M W-2 KDRunout side A variant 1, etched
XXLP 17 B 1 F1 7-M W-2 KD NOELRunout side B variant 1, etched
XXLP 17 A-1 F1 7-M W32Runout side A variant 2, etched
XXLP 17 B-1 F3 7-M W-3 NOELRunout side B variant 2, etched
1 T o AL 38157-1D COLUMBIA NY ARunout A, variant 1
1 T BL 38157-1D COLUMBIA NY BRunout B, variant 1
1 T AL 38157-1A COLUMBIA NY ARunout A, variant 2
1 T BL 38157-1A COLUMBIA NY BRunout B, variant 2
AL 38157Side A label
BL 38157Side B label
AL 38157-1F COLUMBIA NY G1Runout - Side A, variant 1
BL 38157-1H COLUMBIA NY G1Runout - Side B, variant 1
AL 38157-1E COLUMBIA NY G1Runout - Side A, variant 2
BL 38157-1H COLUMBIA NY G1Runout - Side B, variant 2
AL 38157-1D COLUMBIA NY P oRunout side A, variant 1
BL 38157-1C COLUMBIA NY B P oRunout side B, variant 1
AL 38157-1D COLUMBIA NY B P oRunout side A, variant 2
BL 38157-1C COLUMBIA NY P oRunout side B, variant 2
o AL 38157-1D COLUMBIA NYSide A runout
BL 38157-1C © COLUMBIA NY ©©©©©©©©Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | F-Beat XXLP 17First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | France | F-Beat 203 324First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | F-Beat FB K 58 490 / F-Beat FB 58 490First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | F-Beat FB K 58 490 / F-Beat XXLP 17First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | F-Beat 58490 / WEA 58490First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | F-Beat 58490 / WEA 58490First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1982 | Greece | WEA 58490First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Ireland | F-Beat XXLP 17First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Israel | F-Beat FBK 58 490First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Italy | F-Beat FB K 58 490First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | F-Beat P-11241 / F-Beat XXLP17First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | F-Beat P-11241 / F-Beat XXLP17First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Netherlands | F-Beat FB K 58 490 / F-Beat FB 58 490First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | New Zealand | F-Beat XXLP17 / WEA XXLP17First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | F-Beat XXLP 17First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-353 / Universal Music Special Markets B0013550-01LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| 2015 | Europe | UMe 0602547331137LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | UMe 0602547331137LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
34 vinyl pressings of Imperial Bedroom are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1982 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is F-Beat XXLP17, released July 2, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use XXLP17, FC 38157, XXLP 17, 203 324) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XXLP 17 A-1 F1 7-M W-2 KD and XXLP 17 B 1 F1 7-M W-2 KD NOEL. 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.
