Vinyl pressings
by Gerry Rafferty · 1988
North And South was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 9 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.
LONLP 55-A-5J-1-1Side A stamped, variant 1
LONLP-55-B1-1-1 MT JASide B etched, variant 1
LONLP-55-A1 MT JA [Heart symbol] J.C.A 1 1 4Side A, etched, stamped, variant 2
LONLP-55-B1 MT JA 1 1Side B, etched, stamped, variant 2
LONLP 55 A-5U-1-1Side A runout
LONLP-55-B1-1-1 MT JASide B runout
PACLZ 4130Side A label
PACLZ 4131Side B label
835 449-1A PB-EMIDISC-DMMSide A
835 449-1B PB-EMIDISC-DMMSide B
835 449 - 1 A SNB 230 DM4Runout side A variant 1, etched
835 449 - 1B SNB 230 DM7Runout side B variant 1, etched
835 449-1A SNB EL 230 DM 4Runout side A variant 2
835-449-1B SNB 230 EL DM-7Runout side B variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australasia | Polydor 835 449-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Polydor 835 449-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | Polydor 835 449-1 / Polydor 835449-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | Polydor 835 449-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Polydor 835 449-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Germany | Polydor 60 041 1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1988 | Greece | Polydor 835 449-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | Polydor 835 449-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1988 | Portugal | Polydor 835449-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | South Africa | PolyGram STARL 5497First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | Polydor 835 449-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | London Records LONLP 55 / London Records 828 0891-2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | London Records LONLP 55 / London Records 828 0891-2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Polydor 835 449-1 / Polydor 422 835 449-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Polydor 835 449-1 / Polydor 422 835 449-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
15 vinyl pressings of North And South are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Australasia, Canada and more. One of them is London Records LONLP 55.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LONLP 55, 835 449-1, 835449-1, STARL 5497) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LONLP 55-A-5J-1-1 and LONLP-55-B1-1-1 MT JA. 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.
