Vinyl pressings
by Gloria Gaynor · 1981
Let's Mend What's Been Broken 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.
9 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
PDD-517-81-NP-5586 PW MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herb :-) (PR)Runout A Side
PDD-517-81-NP-5590-PW MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herb :-) (PR)Runout B Side
81 NP 5586Label A Side
81 NP 5590Label B Side
PD - 2173 81 NP 5586 - PRC-C-1-1. FW HP :-) - A -A Runout
PD - 2173 81 NP 5586 - PRC-C-1-1. FW HP :-) - A -AA Runout
81 NP 5586A Label
81 NP 5586AA Label
P̶R̶D̶-̶1̶5̶8̶-81-NP-5586- PRC-C-1-1-11 -A- MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE HERB :v)Runout, both sides
81 NP 5586Label, both sides
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 | Polydor 2095 385First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Japan | Polydor 7DM0021First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 304First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD D 517First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD 2173 DJ / Polydor 2066 385First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD-D-517First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PDD-517 DJFirst year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD 2173First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD 21737", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD 2173First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Let's Mend What's Been Broken are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Japan. One of them is Polydor PD D 517.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD D 517, PD-D-517, PD 2173, PD 2173 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PDD-517-81-NP-5586 PW MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herb :-) (PR) and PDD-517-81-NP-5590-PW MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herb :-) (PR). 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.
