Vinyl pressings
by Greg Kihn · 1985
Lucky was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 14 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.
B-8255-S-45-501871-Z1Variant 1; Runout A etched
B-2255-S-45-501894-Z2-1Variant 1; Runout B etched
B-8255-S-45-501871-Z1 #1Variant 2; Runout A etched
B-8255-S-45-501894-Z1 #2Variant 2; Runout B etched
12 EA 194 A-1-1-2-1 DRunout side A
12 EA 194 B-1-1-2-X1Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | EMI America ED 108First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | EMI America ED.108 / EMI America ED-108First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Brazil | EMI America 31C 006 200521First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Canada | EMI America B-8255First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | EMI America 501871First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | Ecuador | EMI America 109-0066First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Europe | EMI America 1A 006-20 0521 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | EMI America 2005217First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Italy | EMI America 16 2005296First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Italy | EMI America 06 2005217First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Mexico | EMI America 8879First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Netherlands | EMI America 1A K060-20 0529 6First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | South Africa | EMI America AMIJ 549First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Spain | EMI-Odeon, S.A. 006 200637 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Spain | EMI America 052 200529 6 / EMI America 052-2005296First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
25 vinyl pressings of Lucky are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Australia, Japan and more. One of them is EMI America B-8255, released February 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use B-8255, V-7855, SPRO-9323, P-B-8255) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, B-8255-S-45-501871-Z1 and B-2255-S-45-501894-Z2-1. 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.
