Vinyl pressings
by Hazell Dean · 1983
Searchin' (I Gotta Find A Man) 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.
37 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 15 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.
ENAT-109-A-2 MT:1 DAMONT I [(horizontal) 1]Runout, Etched, Side A
ENAT 109 AA(raised 1) [(horizontal) 1] DAMONT [(looks like a W with a T in the middle)]Runout, Etched, Side AA
BOYS TOWN HOUSERunout, Stamped, Side A
TOWNHOUSERunout, Stamped, Side AA
ENAT-109-A-2 MT. DAMONT F 3 BOYS TOWN HOUSERunout, side A
ENAT-109-AA2 MT 2 DAMONT 2 APRunout, side AA
ENATX 109 A1 DAMONT I1Runout side A, etched
ENATX 109 AA1 DAMONT L1Runout side AA, etched
ENA 109 A1 BILBO TAPEONE DAMONTA-side runout
ENA 109 B1 BILBO TAPEONE DAMONTB-side runout
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 | Canada | Attic ATT 1226First year12" | 12" |
| 1983 | Canada | Attic AT 298First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Attic ATT 1226First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Ecuador | Teen Internacional 41500-6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ecuador | Teen Internacional 41500First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ecuador | Teen Internacional 41500-6First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | France | Carrere 8407First year12" | 12" |
| 1983 | France | Carrere 13.542 / Proto 13542First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Germany | Bellaphon 100·07·227First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Bellaphon 100·07·227First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Philips 7PP-151First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Japan | Philips 7PP-151First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Mexico | Trebol TI 70727First year12" | 12" |
| 1983 | Mexico | Trebol TI-70718First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1983 | Mexico | Musart MI 31060First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | UK | Blue August Records 12 JUN 10 / Blue August Records PSLP 34312", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1997 | UK | Infinity Records IFTY 02 / Infinity Records IFTYT0212", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1997 | UK | Infinity Records IFTY 0212", White Label | 12", White Label |
57 vinyl pressings of Searchin' (I Gotta Find A Man) are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1983 and 1997.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Germany, Canada and more. One of them is Proto ENA(T) 109, released May 27, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ENA(T) 109, ENA(T)X 109, ENAT 109, ENA 109) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ENAT-109-A-2 MT:1 DAMONT I [(horizontal) 1] and ENAT 109 AA(raised 1) [(horizontal) 1] DAMONT [(looks like a W with a T in the middle)]. 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.
