Vinyl pressings
by Eric Carmen · 1984
Eric Carmen was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 10 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.
Artisan Sound Recorders logoStamped, both sides, Variants 1 & 2
GHS-24042-A-SH2 Fulginiti ɑ B-20217̶5 SH2 SLM B-20215 △8173 1-1Runout A etch; ɑ stamp, Variant 1
GHS-24042-B-SH1 ɑ B-20218̶6SH1 SLM △8173-X 1-1 B-20216-SH1Runout B etch; ɑ stamp, Variant 1
GHS-24042-A-SH1 Fulginiti ɑ B-20217̶5 SH1 SLM △8173 1-1 B-20215 - SH1Runout A etch; ɑ stamp, Variant 2
GHS-24042A-1A G1 A2Side 1 Runout Etching
GHS-24042B-1A G1 A3Side 2 Runout Etching
GHS-24042-A-SR3 Artisan logo SRC logo 1-1Runout A etch; ɑ stamp
GHS-24042-B-SR1 Artisan logo SRC logo 1-1Runout B etch; ɑ stamp
Artisan Sound Recorders logoStamped, both sides
GEF 26056 A1Hand Written
GEF 26056 B1Hand Written
28AP-2977A1 1 A 1 〄CSRunout Side 1
28AP-2977B1 1 A 1Runout Side 2
28AP 2977(GF)Label, both sides
△ MX215237-C GHS24042-1Side 1 runout hand etched
△ MX215238-C GHS24042-2Side 2 runout hand etched
MX215237Side 1 label
MX215238Side 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Geffen Records GHS 24042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 24042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | Geffen Records GEF 26056First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Geffen Records GHS 24042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Philippines | Geffen Records GHS 24042First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | South Africa | Geffen Records ASF 3043First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | Geffen Records GEF 26056First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24042First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24042First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24042First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Venezuela | Epic EPIC 293First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | Geffen Records 28AP 2977First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Geffen Records GEF 26056 / Geffen Records 26056LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Geffen Records 28AP 2977LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | South Korea | Jigu Records Corporation KJPL-0418LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Geffen Records GHS 24042LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
17 vinyl pressings of Eric Carmen are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1984 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Geffen Records GHS 24042.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GHS 24042, GEF 26056, 28AP 2977, XGHS 24042) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Artisan Sound Recorders logo and GHS-24042-A-SH2 Fulginiti ɑ B-20217̶5 SH2 SLM B-20215 △8173 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.
