Vinyl pressings
by Garland Jeffreys · 1977
Ghost Writer was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 8 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.
A+M SP4995-M1 (MR) △22026Variant 1: Runout A etched / (MR) stamped
A+M SP4996-M1 (MR) △22026-XVariant 1: Runout B etched / (MR) stamped
A&M SP4995-M1 (MR) (backward check mark)△22026Variant 2: Runout A etched / (MR) stamped
A&M SP4996-M2 (MR) △22026-X(2)Variant 2: Runout B etched / (MR) stamped
A&M SP 4995-RCA-1 ISide A runout
A&M SP 4996-RCA-1 ISide B runout
SP-4995Side A label
SP-4996Side B label
A+M SP4995-P1Side A runout, variant 1
A+M SP4996-P1Side A runout, variant 1
P A+M SP4995-P1Side A runout, variant 2
P A+M SP4996-P2Side B runout, variant 2
T / A&M SP 4995-T1Side A runout etched
T / A&M SP 4996-T1Side B runout etched
D7Side A runout stamped
Ʌ5Side B runout stamped
A&M SP4995-M1 (MR) △22026Runout A etched / (MR) stamped
A&M SP4996-M1 (MR) △22026-X(1)Runout B etched / (MR) stamped
(SP-4995)Label A
(SP-4996)Label B
T / A&M SP 4995-T1Side A runout etched
T / A&M SP 4996-T1Side B runout etched
ɅSide A & B runout stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | A&M Records L 36271First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4629First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4629LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4629First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | A&M Records 985.057 / A&M Records 985 057First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | A&M Records GP-2041First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | A&M Records GP-2041First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Spain | A&M Records AMLH 64629First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64629First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64629First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1977 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64629First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4629First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4629First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4629First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4629First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-4629LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-4629LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP 69864LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP 69864LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP 69864LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64629LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4629LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
27 vinyl pressings of Ghost Writer are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-4629.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4629, AMLH 64629, L 36271, 985.057) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A+M SP4995-M1 (MR) △22026 and A+M SP4996-M1 (MR) △22026-X. 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.
