Vinyl pressings
by Iron Maiden · 1985
Running Free was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
35 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 14 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.
12EMI-5532A1 F.1 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 12EMI 5532 A-1-1-2-A side runout, variant 1
12EMI-5532B1 F.1 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 12EMI 5532 B-1-1-1-1B side runout, variant 1
12EMI-5532A1 F-1 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 12EMI 5532 A-1-1-1``X1A side runout, variant 2
12EMI-5532B1 F-1 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 12EMI 5532 B-1-1-2-`B side runout, variant 2
12-EMIP+5532+A ORLAKEA side runout, variant 1
12+EMIP+5532+B ORLAKEB side runout, variant 1
12+EMIP+5532+A ORLAKE BA side runout, variant 2
12+EMIP+5532+B ORLAKEB side runout, variant 2
EMI-5532A1 F-1 EMI 5532A-1-1-Q3-13 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRunout side A, variant 1
EMI-5532B1 F-1 EMI 5532B-1-1-Q3-4 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRunout side B, variant 1
EMI-5532A1 F-1 EMI 553[X]2A-1-1-Q4-2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRunout side A, variant 2
EMI-5532B1 F-1 EMI 5532 B-1-1-Q3-3 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRunout side B, variant 2
EMI-5532A1 F-1 EMI 553 2A-1-1- 1 - 7 MASTERED BY CAPITOL wallyRunout side A, variant 1
EMI-5532B1 F-1 EMI 5532 B-1-1- 1 - 2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL wallyRunout side B, variant 1
EMI-5532A1 F-1 EMI 5533̶2A-1-1-2-05 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRunout side A, variant 2
EMI-5532B1 F-1 EMI 5532B-1-1-1-10 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRunout side B, variant 2
EMI-5532A1 F-1 EMI 5532A-1-1-1.. 07 Mastered At Capitol WallySide A runout, variant 1
EMI-5532B1 F-1 EMI 5532B-1-1-1.. 11 Mastered At Capitol WallySide B runout, variant 1
EMI-5532A1 F-1 EMI 5532A-1-1-2 1 1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallySide A runout, variant 2
EMI-5532B1 F-1 EMI 5532 B-1-1-2 1 5 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallySide B runout, variant 2
EMI-5532 A1 EMI 5532 A-1-1-2-3 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallySide A runout, etched / stamped
EMI-5532 B1 EMI 5532 B-1-1-1-1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallySide B runout, etched / stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | EMI 61 2008196 6827First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Argentina | EMI 61 2008196 6827First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | EMI EMI.1594First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | EMI ED-140First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Europe | EMI 1 C K 060 20 0819 6 / EMI 060-20 0819 6First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | EMI 1 C K 060 20 0819 6 / EMI 060-20 0819 6First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | EMI 1 C K 060 20 0819 6First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Mispress, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Mispress, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | EMI 1 C K 060 20 0819 6 / EMI 060-20 0819 612", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | France | EMI 2008187First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1985 | France | EMI 1564796First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | EMI 156479612", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Germany | EMI 1C 006 20 0818 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Stereo |
| 1985 | Ireland | EMI 5532First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Italy | EMI 06 2008187First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | EMI 06 2008187First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | BMG BMG14032VA7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Mispress, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Mispress, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| 2014 | Europe | Parlophone 2564624864 / Parlophone 55327", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 2014 | US | Sanctuary BMG14032V7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
41 vinyl pressings of Running Free are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1985 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, New Zealand, Australia and more. One of them is EMI 12EMI 5532, released September 23, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12EMI 5532, 12 EMIP 5532, EMI 5532, 5532) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12EMI-5532A1 F.1 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 12EMI 5532 A-1-1-2- and 12EMI-5532B1 F.1 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 12EMI 5532 B-1-1-1-1. 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.
