Vinyl pressings
by Franke & The Knockouts · 1981
Sweetheart was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 11 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.
YB-11801-A I STERLING A3Etched Side A, except I STERLING A3 stamped
YB-11801-B I STERLING A3Etched Side B, except I STERLING A3 stamped
YB-11801-ALabel side A
YB-11801-BLabel side B
YB-11801-A I [STERLING] I A3Side A Runout, etched [stamped], variant 1
YB-11801-B I [STERLING] A4Side B Runout, etched [stamped], variant 1
YB-11801-A 1 I [STERLING] A3Side A Runout, etched [stamped], variant 2
YB-11801-B 1 [STERLING] I A3Side B Runout, etched [stamped], variant 2
YB-11801-A △107284 MR STERLINGA runout
YB-11801-B MR △107284X STERLINGB runout
YB-11801-AA label
YB-11801-BB label
YB-11801-A (100113 mirrored) [STERLING]Side A Runout, etched [stamped]
YB-11801-B (100114 mirrored) [STERLING]Side B Runout, etched [stamped]
YB-11801-ASide A Label
YB-11801-BSide B Label
YB-11801-D 1 STERLING A1Etched Side A, except I STERLING A1 stamped
YB-11801-C 1 STERLING A1Etched Side B, except 1 STERLING A1 stamped
YB-11801-DLabel side A
YB-11801-CLabel side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | RCA Victor 103787First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Brazil | RCA 101.8214First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Millennium YB-11801First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | Germany | Millennium XB 1801 / RCA XB 1801First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Mexico | RCA Victor SP - 5579First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | RCA FB-1801 / Millennium FB-1801First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 103787First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Peru | RCA XRPBO 1080First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | RCA XB 1801First year7", 45 RPM, White Label, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, White Label, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | RCA RCA 64First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | US | Millennium YB-11801First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1981 | US | Millennium JH-11801First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Millennium JH-11801First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | US | Millennium YB-11801First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Millennium YB-11801First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Sweetheart are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Millennium YB-11801.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use YB-11801, JH-11801, RCA 64, 103787) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YB-11801-A I STERLING A3 and YB-11801-B I STERLING A3. 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.
