Vinyl pressings
by Gwen Guthrie · 1983
Portrait 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.
12 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
ILPS 9758 A-1U-1-1--1 GRAEMEVariant 1, Side A runout
ILPS 9758 B-1U-1-2-1Variant 1, Side B runout
ILPS 9758 A-1U-1-1-2 GRAEMEVariant 2, Side A runout
ILPS 9758 B-1U-1-2Variant 2, Side B runout
ILPS 9758 A-1U-1-I--I GRAEMESide A runout
ILPS 9758 B-1U-1-2-1Side B runout
ILPS 9758-ASide A label
ILPS 9758-BSide B label
ST-IL-835203-A [SRC logo] \-/ SMI-1 STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
ST-IL-835204-B [SRC logo] \-/ SMI-2 STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
ST-IL-835203-A [SRC logo] 1-3 STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
ST-IL-835204-B [SRC logo] 1-1 STERLINGRunout side B, variant 2
S 205 492 ASide 1 Label
S 205 492 BSide 2 Label
012 814 215
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 | Europe | Island Records 205 492 / Island Records 205 492-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Island Records 814 215-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Island Records 205 492-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Island Records 25S-191 / Polystar 25S-191First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Japan | Island Records 25S-191 / Polystar 25S-191First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Island Records L 38044First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Philippines | Island Records ILPS 9758First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Portugal | Island Records ILPS 9758 PFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9758First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9699First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9758First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Island Records 90082-1 / Island Records 7 90082-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Portrait are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Europe, France and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9758.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9758, ILPS 9699, 90082-1, 205 492) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9758 A-1U-1-1--1 GRAEME and ILPS 9758 B-1U-1-2-1. 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.
