Vinyl pressings
by Graham Parker · 1983
The Real Macaw was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 12 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-8-8023-SA-1 STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
AL-8-8023-SB 2 STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
AL-8-8023-SA-1 STERLING A1 IIRunout side A, variant 2
AL-8-8023-SB 2 STERLING A2 fRunout side B, variant 2
AL-8-8023-SA EMW STERLINGRunout side A
AL-8-8023-SB EMW STERLINGRunout side B
AL 8 8023 SALabel Side A
AL 8 8023 SBLabel Side B
LIB 5024-A DB
LIB 5024-B DB
AL-8-8023-SA-1 STERLINGRunout Side A
AL-8-8023-SB 2 STERLINGRunout Side B
AL 8 8023 SALabel Side A
AL 8 8023 SBLabel Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Liberation Records LIB5024First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia & New Zealand | Liberation Records LIB5024First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista AL8 8023 / Arista AL 8 8023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | RCA PL 70075First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | RCA PL 25465LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Greece | RCA Victor RCLP 20273 / RCA PL 25465First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | RCA RCALP 6086 / RCA PL 25465First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | RCA PL 25465First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Italy | RCA PL 25465First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Japan | RCA RPL-8219First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | RCA RPL-8219First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Liberation Records LIB 5024First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | RCA Victor PL-25465First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Spain | RCA Victor PL-25465First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK & Europe | RCA Victor PL 25465 / RCA RCALP 6086First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Great Expectations PIP LP 027LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
23 vinyl pressings of The Real Macaw are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1983 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Australia, Australia & New Zealand, Canada and more. One of them is Arista AL 8 8023.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 8 8023, AL5-8220, ALB6-8352, LIB5024) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-8-8023-SA-1 STERLING and AL-8-8023-SB 2 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.
