Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Costello & The Attractions · 1979
Oliver's Army was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 9 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.
ADA 31 A2 A Captain Porky Prime CutSide A runout, variant 1
ADA 31 B2 DSide B runout, variant 1
ADA 31 A2 A CAPTAIN PORKY PRIME CUT AVSide A runout, variant 2
ADA 31 B2 CESide B runout, variant 2
ADA -31. A-1 PECKOSide A runout - variant 1
ADA -31. B-1 PECKOSide B runout - variant 1
ADA -31. A-1Side A runout - variant 2
ADA -31. B-1 PECKOSide B runout - variant 2
ADA 31-A1 A PORKY PRIME CUT ARunout A, variant 1
ADA 31-B1 HAPPY 14TH PECKO A 3Runout B, variant 1
ADA-31-A-1 20 A PORKY PRIME CUT ARunout A, variant 2
ADA-31-B-1 1 B HAPPY 14TH PECKORunout B, variant 2
PORKY W-3 ADA RIVA 31 A3 B3 EG 1Side A
PECKO W-3 ADA 31 A B-3 EG 1Side B
ADA-31-A-1 10 A PORKY PRIME CUT DA Side Runout
ADA-31-B-1 D D HAPPY 14TH PECKOB Side Runout
PORKY Ƨ-12 ADA R̶I̶V̶A̶ 31 A3 B̶3̶ EG 1Runout side A, variant 1
PECKO Ƨ-10 ADA 31 A̶ B-3 EG 1Runout side B, variant 1
ADA R̶I̶V̶A̶ 31 A3 B̶3̶ EG 1 PORKY S-4Runout side A, variant 2
ADA 31 A̶ -B-3 EG 1 PECKO S-26Runout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Netherlands | Radar Records WB 17.344 / Radar Records WB. 17.344.First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Radar Records ADA 31First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Norway | Smash Records TAR 8First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Scandinavia | Smash Records TAR 8First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Spain | Radar Records 45-1832 / Hispavox 45-1832First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Radar Records ADA 31First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Radar Records ADA31First year7", White Label | 7", White Label |
| 1979 | UK | Radar Records ADA 31First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Radar Records ADA 31First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Radar Records ADA 31First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Radar Records ADA 31First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Radar Records ADA 31First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Radar Records ADA 31First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Radar Records ADA 31First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Radar Records ADA 31First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | El Salvador | Warner Bros. Records CA-106527", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
22 vinyl pressings of Oliver's Army are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Australia, Germany, Japan and more. One of them is Radar Records ADA 31, released February 2, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ADA 31, ADA31, RAD 17 344, P-387F) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ADA 31 A2 A Captain Porky Prime Cut and ADA 31 B2 D. 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.
