Vinyl pressings
by Inga Rumpf · 1979
I Know Who I Am was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 7 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.
PL 28401A/2 Manufactured in Germany 8/19/79 AFL-1-3499 A JAMF GRunout Side A, etched / stamped
PL 28401B/1 Manufactured in Germany 8/19/79 AFL-1-3499 B JAMF GRunout Side B, etched / stamped
8/19/79Lacquer Cutting Date, etched
PL 28401-ALabel Side A, in parentheses
AFL1-3499-1Side 1
AFL1-3499-2Side 2
PL 28401-A//41887-1-y.Runout side A, etched
PL 28401-B//41888-1-y.Runout side B, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Canada | RCA AFL1-3499First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | RCA PL 28401First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | RCA PL 28401 / RCA Victor PL 28401First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | RCA PL 28401First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Portugal | RCA PL 28401First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | RCA PL 13499First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | RCA AFL1-3499First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Italy | RCA PL 13499 / RCA Victor pl 13499LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Italy | RCA PL 13499 / RCA Victor PL 13499LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | RCA PL 28401 / RCA Victor PL-28401LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | RCA PL 28401 / RCA Victor PL-28401LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of I Know Who I Am are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Germany, UK, US, Canada and more. One of them is RCA PL 28401.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PL 28401, PL 13499, AFL1-3499) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PL 28401A/2 Manufactured in Germany 8/19/79 AFL-1-3499 A JAMF G and PL 28401B/1 Manufactured in Germany 8/19/79 AFL-1-3499 B JAMF G. 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.
