Vinyl pressings
by Howard Jones · 1984
The 12" Album 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.
17 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 12 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.
R/S Alsdorf WX 14 A 240543-1 AXX 6VRunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf WX 14 B 240543-1 BX U.K.Runout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf WX 14 A 240543-1 AX 13Runout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf WX 14 B 240543-1 BXX 16 UKRunout side B, variant 2
UK R/S Alsdorf WX 14 A = 240543-1 AA-side runout etching
R/S Alsdorf WX 14 B = 240543-1 BB-side runout etching
R/S Alsdorf WX 14 A | 240543-1 AXXRunout side A, Variant 1
R/S Alsdorf WX 14 B | 240543-1 BXXRunout side B, Variant 1
R/S Alsdorf WX 14 A 240543-1 AXXXRunout side A, Variant 2
R/S Alsdorf WX 14 B = 240543-1 B DRunout side B, Variant 2
WX 14 A//4▽420 1 1 8Runout, side A
WX 14 B//4▽420 R 1 1 3Runout, side B
S R/S Alsdorf WX 14 A 240543-1 AXXX 3Runout, side A, stamped/etched. Variant 1
R/S Alsdorf WX 14 B = 240543-1 B 33Runout, side B, stamped/etched. Variant 1
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 | Argentina | WEA 89101 / WEA 240543First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australia | WEA 240543-1First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1984 | Canada | WEA 24 05431First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1984 | Canada | WEA 24 05431First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1984 | Ireland | WEA WX14 / WEA 240 543-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | WEA 24 0543-1First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1984 | Japan | WEA P-6200 / WEA PS-1024First yearLP, Album, Partially Mixed, Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Partially Mixed, Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1984 | Japan | WEA P-6200First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | WEA 240543-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records 240-543-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | WEA 24 0543-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | WEA 24 0543-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | WEA WX 14First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Europe | WEA 240 543-1 / WEA WX14First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | WEA WX14 / WEA 240 543-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | UK | Cherry Red PBRED837LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2021 | Europe | Cherry Red PBRED837LP, Album, Record Store Day · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day · Colored vinyl |
21 vinyl pressings of The 12" Album are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1984 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Europe, Scandinavia, Argentina and more. One of them is WEA WX14, released December 8, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WX14, WX 14, 240 543-1, 89101) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf WX 14 A 240543-1 AXX 6V and R/S Alsdorf WX 14 B 240543-1 BX U.K.. 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.
