Vinyl pressings
by Godley & Creme · 1978
L was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 1978, 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.
STRAWBERRYRunout, both sides, etched
9109611 1Y//2 STR 11 5Runout side A, stamped, Variant 1
9109611 2Y//1 STR 11 8Runout side B, stamped, Variant 1
9109611 1Y//2 STR 11 6Runout side A, stamped, Variant 2
9109611 1Y//1 STR STRAWBERRYSide A runout variant 1
9109611 2Y//1 STR STRAWBERRYSide B runout variant 1
9109611 1Y//2 STR 11 1 STRAWBERRYSide A runout variant 2
9109611 2Y//1 STR 11 STRAWBERRYSide B runout variant 2
PD-1-6177-AS-1-1-1 STRAWBERRY PRCSide A runout, variant 1
PD-1-6177-BS-1-1-1 STRAWBERRY PRCSide B runout, variant 1
PD-1-6177-AS-2-1-11 STRAWBERRY PRCSide A runout, variant 2
PD-1-6177-BS-1-1-1 STRAWBERRY PRCSide B runout, variant 2
PD-1-6177-A BW STRAWBERRYA-side runout, etched, var 1
PD-1-6177-B BW STRAWBERRYB-side runout, etched, var 1
PD-1-6177-A1 BW STRAWBERRYA-side runout, etched, var 2
PD-1-6177-B1 BW STRAWBERRYB-side runout, etched, var 2
PD-1-6177-AS STRAWBERRY 1-1 [SRC logo]Side A runout
PD-1-6177-BS STRAWBERRY 1-1 [SRC logo]Side B runout
PD-1-6177 ASide A label
PD-1-6177 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Mercury 6310 032First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-3752First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Mercury 6310 032First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Mercury RJ-7515First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Mercury 6310 032First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Scandinavia | Mercury 6310 032First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Spain | Mercury 6310 032First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Mercury 9109 611First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Mercury 9109 611First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6177 / Man Ken Records PD-1-6177First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6177First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6177 / Polydor 2480 485First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6177 / Polydor 2480 485First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6177 / Polydor 2480 485First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6177 / Polydor 2480 485First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of L are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Mercury 9109 611.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9109 611, PD-1-6177, 6310 032, SRM-1-3752) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STRAWBERRY and 9109611 1Y//2 STR 11 5. 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.
