Vinyl pressings
by Invisible Man's Band · 1980
The Invisible Man's Band was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1980, 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.
MLPS-9537-A CP2 ☆ P STERLINGRunout A variant 1
MLPS-9537-B CP2 STERLING CRunout B variant 1
MLPS-9537-A CP1 STERLING PRunout A variant 2
MLPS-9537-B CP4 STERLINGRunout B variant 2
T \ MLPS-9537-A CT1 ☆ STERLING B4 ISide A runout, etched/stamped
T \ MLPS-9537-B CT1 STERLING A 5Side B runout, etched/stamped
T \ MLPS-9537-A CT1 ☆ STERLING B8 ISide A runout, etched/stamped [variant]
T \ MLPS-9537-B CT2 STERLING B 4Side B runout, etched/stamped [variant]
MLPS-9537-A CS1 STERLING A3 S1A-side runout
MLPS-9537-B CS1 A☆5 STERLING S1B-side runout
MLPS-9537-AA-side label
MLPS-9537-BB-side label
/S MLPS-9537-A CS2 ☆STERLINGA-side runout
/S MLPS-9537-B CS1 A6☆STERLINGB-side runout
MLPS-9537-AA-side label
MLPS-9537-BB-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Island Records L37424First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | Island Records 202 593First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Island Records 202 593-320 / Island Records ILPS9537First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | Island Records 14C 062-63921First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | Island Records 9531LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Mexico | Island Records LAE-285First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | South Korea | Life Studio 54 Life 224LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| 1980 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9537First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Mango MLPS 9537First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Mango MLPS 9537First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Mango MLPS 9537First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Mango MLPS 9537First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of The Invisible Man's Band are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Mango MLPS 9537.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MLPS 9537, ILPS 9537, L37424, 202 593) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MLPS-9537-A CP2 ☆ P STERLING and MLPS-9537-B CP2 STERLING C. 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.
