Vinyl pressings
by Genesis · 1984
Illegal Alien 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.
24 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
AL 1 A-1U-1-1-8Runout, stamped, side A, variant 1
AL 1 B-4U-1-1-10Runout, stamped, side B, variant 1
AL 1 A-1U-1-1-6Runout, stamped, side A, variant 2
AL 1 B-4U-1-1--X1Runout, stamped, side B, variant 2
ALS+1+A2 ORLAKESide A runout
ALS+1+B ORLAKESide B runout
AL 112 A-1U-1-1-XVariant 1: side A runout
AL 112 B-3U-1-1-Variant 1: side B runout
AL 112 A-2U-1-1⇀ΛVariant 2: side A runout, stamped
AL 112 B-4U-1-1⇀2Variant 2: side B runout, stamped
AL DJ 1 A-1U-1-1-X1Side A runout, stamped
AL DJ 1A - 1USide A label
AL DJ 1 A-1U-1-1-X1Runout [stamped] side A
AL DJ 1 B-1U-1-1-X1Runout [stamped] side B
AL DJ 1-ASide A label
AL DJ 1-BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | Vertigo 0049First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Vertigo 818 411-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Atlantic 78 96987First year7", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1984 | Germany | Vertigo 818 411-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Ireland | Virgin AL1 / Charisma AL1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Peru | Vertigo F-TGO 8184117.0First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Peru | Vertigo 8184117.0First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Spain | Vertigo 818 411-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin AL1 - 12 / Charisma AL1 - 12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin AL DJ 1 / Charisma AL DJ 1First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin ALS1 / Charisma ALS17", Single, Picture Disc, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Picture disc | 7", Single, Picture Disc, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Picture disc |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin ALS1 / Charisma ALS1First year7", Single, Mispress, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", Single, Mispress, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1984 | US | Atlantic PR 581First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Atlantic 7-89698First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Atlantic 7-89698First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
28 vinyl pressings of Illegal Alien are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1984 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Canada, Portugal and more. One of them is Virgin AL1, released January 23, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL1, ALS1, AL1 - 12, AL DJ 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 1 A-1U-1-1-8 and AL 1 B-4U-1-1-10. 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.
