Vinyl pressings
by Howard Jones · 1984
Pearl In The Shell was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
HOW -4(T) - A-L6 MARK'S JOB IN WYCOMBE *MT*Side A + etchings / Variant 1
HOW - 4(T) B-'-2-83 HUMANS LIB' *MT*Side B + etchings / Variant 1
HOW -4(T) - A4. MT.Side A + etchings / Variant 2
HOW - 4(T) B-' - 12 *MT*Side B + etchings / Variant 2
HOW-4. A-1 ARUN *MT* DAMONT MARKS JOBRunout side A etched
HOW-4 B-1 *MT* DAMONT HUMANS LIBRunout side B etched
(HOW 4 A*)Label side A
(HOW 4 B*)Label side B
HOW 4 A-1 ARUN *MT* MARK'S JOBA side runout, etched
HOW 4 B-1 B *MT* HUMANS LIBB side runout, etched
HOW-4. A-1 ARUN *MT* DAMONT MARK'S JOBRunout side A, etched
HOW-4 B-1 *MT* DAMONT HUMANS LIBRunout side B, etched
HOW4 (T) A-1 MARK'S JOB IN WYCOMBE *MT* DAMONTSide A runout
HOW - 4 (T) B-1 'HUMANS LIB' DAMONT *MT*Side B runout
HOW 4T A*Side A label
HOW 4T B*Side B label
HOW-4. A-1-3-8 ARUN ✩MT✩ MARK'S JOBSide A runout
HOW-4-B4.-3̶ 2-8 MT.Side B runout
HOW 4 A*Side A label
HOW 4 B*Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | WEA 24 93717First year7", Promo, Single · Promo | 7", Promo, Single · Promo |
| 1984 | Europe | WEA 249 370-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | WEA 249 371-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | WEA 249 371-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Ireland | WEA HOW 4 / WEA 249371-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Ireland | WEA HOW 4(T)First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Italy | WEA 24 9370-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | WEA HOW 4 P / WEA HOW 4PFirst year7", Single, Picture Disc, Shape, 45 RPM · Picture disc | 7", Single, Picture Disc, Shape, 45 RPM · Picture disc |
| 1984 | UK | WEA HOW 4 T / WEA HOW. 4 TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | US | Elektra ED 4992First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Elektra 7-69705First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Elektra ED 499212", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | US | Elektra 7-69705First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Australia | WEA 7-249371First year7" | 7" |
| 1984 | UK | WEA HOW 4T / WEA 249370-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Elektra 697057", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
24 vinyl pressings of Pearl In The Shell are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Australia, Japan and more. One of them is WEA HOW 4T, released May 26, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HOW 4T, HOW 4, HOW 4 P, HOW 4 T) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HOW -4(T) - A-L6 MARK'S JOB IN WYCOMBE *MT* and HOW - 4(T) B-'-2-83 HUMANS LIB' *MT*. 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.
