Vinyl pressings
by Helen Schneider · 1981
Rock 'N' Roll Gypsy was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. 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 1981, the album's first year, in 8 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.
Strawberry (C) R/S Alsdorf 18830 AxxRunout side A, variant 1
Strawberry (C) R/S Alsdorf 18830 B2Runout side B, variant 1
Strawberry (C) R/S Alsdorf 18830 AxxRunout side A, variant 2
Strawberry (C) R/S Alsdorf 18830 A2[etched: x]Runout side B, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 258259 A STRAWBERRY (G)Side A
R/S Alsdorf 28259 B STRAWBERRY (G)Side B
STDM-41086-1 SP 1-1 SM1-1 STERLINGEtched Side A, except STERLING stamped
STDM-41086-1 SP 1-1 STERLINGEtched Side B, except STERLING stamped
ST-DM-41086-SPLabel Both Sides
ST-DM-41086-ARLabel Both Sides
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Mirage WTG 4033First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | WEA WEA 18 830First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | WEA WEA 28 259First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1981 | France | WEA 18.830 / WEA WEA 18 830First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Italy | WEA G 18830First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Netherlands | WEA WEA 18 830First year7", 45 RPM, Mispress | 7", 45 RPM, Mispress |
| 1981 | UK | WEA K 18830First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Mirage PR 433First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Mirage DMD 326First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Mirage DMD 326First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Germany | WEA WEA 18 830First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | WEA WEA 18 830First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | WEA 45-21757", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | US | Mirage WTG 40337", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Mirage WTG 40337", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Rock 'N' Roll Gypsy are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1981 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Europe, UK, US, Germany and more. One of them is WEA WEA 18 830.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WEA 18 830, WEA 28 259, K 18830, PR 433) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Strawberry (C) R/S Alsdorf 18830 Axx and Strawberry (C) R/S Alsdorf 18830 B2. 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.
