Vinyl pressings
by Fish · 1990
A Gentleman's Excuse Me was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1990, the album's first year, in 4 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.
EMS-135-A ORLAKESide A runout, etched, variant 1
EMS-135-B ORLAKESide B runout, etched, variant 1
EMS - 135 - A ORLAKESide A runout, etched, variant 2
EMS + 135 + B ORLAKESide B runout, etched, variant 2
EM 135 A-1-1-Q3 DRunout Area Side A
EM 135 B-1-1-Q3 DRunout Area Side B
EM 135ALabel Side A
EM 135BLabel Side B
EMPD+135+ARunout Area Side A
EMPD+135+BRunout Area Side B
12 EM 135 A-1-1-1 DSide A, stamped
12 EM 135 B-1-1-1 DSide B, stamped
12+EMPD+135+A ORLAKESide A- Etched
12+EMPD+135+B ORLAKESide B- Etched
EM 135 A-2-1- DRunout A, stamped
EM 135 B-1-1- 4 DRunout B, stamped
EM 135ALabel A
EM 135BLabel B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | EMI 006-20 3755 7 / EMI Electrola 006 20 3755 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | Germany | EMI Electrola 060-20 3755 6First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | Italy | EMI 06 2037557First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | Italy | EMI 14 2037556First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1990 | UK | EMI EM 135First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | UK | EMI EMPD 135First year7", 45 RPM, Shape, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Shape, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1990 | UK | EMI 12EM 135First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | UK | EMI 12EMPD 135First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1990 | UK | EMI EMPD 1357", Single, Picture Disc, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Picture disc | 7", Single, Picture Disc, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Picture disc |
| 1990 | UK | EMI EM 135First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1990 | UK | EMI EMS 1357", Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing, Colored vinyl | 7", Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing, Colored vinyl |
| 1990 | UK | EMI EMS 135First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1990 | Germany | EMI Electrola 2037557First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
13 vinyl pressings of A Gentleman's Excuse Me are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in UK, Europe, Germany, Italy. One of them is EMI EMS 135, released March 1990.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMS 135, EM 135, EMPD 135, 12EM 135) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMS-135-A ORLAKE and EMS-135-B ORLAKE. 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.
