Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Costello & The Attractions · 1983
Punch The Clock 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.
31 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 17 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.
BILBO TAPE ONESides A&B, Etched
XXLP 19 A-1U-1-1Side A, Stamped, Variant 1
XXLP 19 B-1U-1-1Side B, Stamped, Variant 1
XXLP 19 A-1U-1-1Side A, Stamped, Variant 2
P AL-38897-1B MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^)Runout A, variant 1
P BL-38897-1F MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^)Runout B, variant 1
P AL-38897-1A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^)Runout A, variant 2
P BL-38897-1B MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^)Runout B, variant 2
AL-38897-1F MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^) A 2 GVariant 1 runout side A
BL-38897-1C MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^) C GVariant 1 runout side B
AL-38897-1D MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^) A 12 GVariant 2 runout side A
BL-38897-1D MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^) A12 GVariant 2 runout side B
AL38897-1AA G1Side A runout, variant 1
BL-38897-G1E G (HXPY)Side B runout, variant 1
<PX TR > AL-38897-G1A G1 A-2Side A runout, variant 2
(HX PY) BL-38897-G1E G1 B5Side B runout, variant 2
P-G AL-38897-1J XG MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^) A 1Variant 1 runout side A
(HX PY) BL-38897-G1E G1 A3Variant 2 runout side B
AL 38897Side A label
BL 38897Side B label
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 | Brazil | RCA 104.7114 / RCA Victor 104.7114First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | F-Beat ZL 70026First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | F-Beat XXLP 19LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Greece | F-Beat RCLP 20272 / RCA Victor RCLP 20272First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | RCA Victor RCLP 20272LP, Test Pressing, Album · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, Album · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Greece | F-Beat RCLP 20272 / RCA Victor RCLP 20272First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Israel | F-Beat ZL25464First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | F-Beat ZL 25464 / F-Beat ZL25464First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Italy | F-Beat ZL 25464 / F-Beat ZL25464First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Japan | F-Beat RPL-8211First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Japan | F-Beat RPL-8211First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | RCA Victor VPLI 7461First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | New Zealand | F-Beat VPL1 7461 / RCA Victor VPL1 7461First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Portugal | RCA PL25464First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | F-Beat XXLP 20First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-389 / Universal Music Special Markets B0013547-01LP, Remastered, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered | LP, Remastered, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered |
| 2015 | Europe | UMe 602547331151LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
38 vinyl pressings of Punch The Clock are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1983 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Canada, Ireland and more. One of them is F-Beat XXLP 19, released August 5, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use XXLP 19, FC 38897, PC 38897, VPL1 7461) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BILBO TAPE ONE and XXLP 19 A-1U-1-1. 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.
