Vinyl pressings
by Grace Jones · 1978
Fame 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.
26 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 18 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.
ILPS 9525A TM/JR STERLINGSide A (Variation 1)
ILPS 9525B TM/JR STERLINGSide B (Variation 1)
ILPS 9525 A - 1B TM/JR STERLINGSide A (Variation 2)
ILPS 9525 B - 1A TM/JR STERLINGSide B (Variation 2)
ILPS 9525A TM/JR STERLINGRun-out Sequence Side A
ILPS 9525A TM/JRRun-out Side A [etched]
ILPS 9525B TM/JR STERLINGRun-out Sequence Side B
ILPS 9525B TM/JRRun-out Side B [etched]
1S ILPS 9525A-1B TM/JR [STERLING] B2Side A Runout
1S ILPS 9525A-1A TM/JR [STERLING] A2Side B Runout
ILPS 9525A TM/JR STERLINGSide A (Variation 1)
ILPS 9525B TM/JR STERLINGSide B (Variation 1)
ILPS 9525 A - 1B TM/JR STERLINGSide A (Variation 2)
ILPS 9525 B - 1A TM/JR STERLINGSide B (Variation 2)
ILPS 9525 A -2U : TM / JR STERLING :Run-out side A, etched, -2U and STERLING stamped, variant 1
ILPS 9525 B- 1U TM / JR : STERLING 1Run-out side B, etched, 1U and STERLING stamped, variant 1
ILPS 9525 A -2U TM / JR STERLING 1 5 1Run-out side A, etched, -2U STERLING 1 5 1 stamped, variant 2
ILPS 9525 B- 2U TM / JR STERLING 1 7 1Run-out side B, etched, -2U STERLING 1 7 1 stamped, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Island Records L 36666First yearLP, Album, Partially Mixed | LP, Album, Partially Mixed |
| 1978 | Brazil | Island Records 9127 009First yearLP, Album, Partially Mixed | LP, Album, Partially Mixed |
| 1978 | Canada | Island Records ILPS 9525First yearLP, Album, Partially Mixed | LP, Album, Partially Mixed |
| 1978 | France | Island Records 9123 031First yearLP, Album, Partially Mixed | LP, Album, Partially Mixed |
| 1978 | Germany | Island Records 26 214 XOTFirst yearLP, Album, Partially Mixed | LP, Album, Partially Mixed |
| 1978 | Greece | Island Records ILPS 9525First yearLP, Album, Partially Mixed | LP, Album, Partially Mixed |
| 1978 | Greece | Island Records 14C 064-61355First yearLP, Album, Partially Mixed | LP, Album, Partially Mixed |
| 1978 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19525First yearLP, Album, Partially Mixed | LP, Album, Partially Mixed |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Island Records 26214 XOT / Island Records 26 214 XOTFirst yearLP, Album, Partially Mixed | LP, Album, Partially Mixed |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Island Records 26214 XOT / Island Records 26 214 XOTFirst yearLP, Album, Partially Mixed | LP, Album, Partially Mixed |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Island Records L 36666First yearLP, Album, Partially Mixed | LP, Album, Partially Mixed |
| 1978 | Portugal | Island Records 5009 525First yearLP, Album, Partially Mixed | LP, Album, Partially Mixed |
| 1978 | South Africa | Island Records ILPS 9525First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Spain | Island Records 26 214-IFirst yearLP, Album, Partially Mixed | LP, Album, Partially Mixed |
| 1978 | Sweden | Island Records ILPS-9525 / Island Records ILPS 9525First yearLP, Album, Partially Mixed | LP, Album, Partially Mixed |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Germany | Island Records 204 162 / Island Records 204 162-320LP, Album, Partially Mixed, Reissue | LP, Album, Partially Mixed, Reissue |
| 1981 | Germany | Island Records 204 162 / Island Records 204 162-320LP, Album, Partially Mixed, Reissue | LP, Album, Partially Mixed, Reissue |
| 1982 | Japan | Island Records 20S-73LP, Album, Partially Mixed, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Partially Mixed, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1982 | Japan | Island Records 20S-73LP, Album, Partially Mixed, Reissue | LP, Album, Partially Mixed, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Island Records L36666LP, Album, Partially Mixed, Reissue | LP, Album, Partially Mixed, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 204 162 / Island Records 204 162-320LP, Album, Partially Mixed, Reissue | LP, Album, Partially Mixed, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9525LP, Album, Partially Mixed, Reissue | LP, Album, Partially Mixed, Reissue |
34 vinyl pressings of Fame are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1978 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9525.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9525, ILS-81131, L 36666, 9127 009) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9525A TM/JR STERLING and ILPS 9525B TM/JR STERLING. 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.
