Vinyl pressings
by Jeff Lynne · 1990
Armchair Theatre was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. 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 1990, 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.
1-26184-A-SR-1 Future DiscRunout Side A, Etched
1-26184-B-SR-1Runout Side B, Etched
1-26184-A-SR-2 Future DiscAlternate Runout Side A, Etched
SRCRunout, both sides, Stamped
CR 92-61841-ASR1 SRC [Logo] 1-26184-A-SR-1 1-3 SP-CAM Future DiscSide A etched, SRC logo stamped
SRC [logo] CR 1-4(crossed out) 1-3 1-26184-B-SR-1 92-61841 -BSR1 SP-CAMSide B etched, SRC logo stamped
MX304919 759926184-1 MR1Side A runout
MX304920 759926184-1 MR2Side B runout
MX304919
MX304920
R/S Alsdorf 759 926184-1-Ax 3 HúSide A runout, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 759 926184-1-B 13 HúSide B runout, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 759 926184-1-Ax 11 HúSide A runout, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 759 926184-1-B 36 HúSide B runout, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 759 926184-1-AXXRunout side A
R/S Alsdorf 759 926184-1-BRunout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Australia | Reprise Records 759926184-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Europe | Reprise Records WX 347 / Reprise Records 7599-26184-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1990 | Europe | Reprise Records WX 347 / Reprise Records 7599-26184-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Greece | Reprise Records 926184-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBC 1678First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1990 | South Korea | Reprise Records WB 7599-26184-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | US | Reprise Records 1-26184LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1990 | US | Reprise Records 9 26184-1 / Reprise Records 1-26184First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | US | Reprise Records 1-261841First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Uruguay | Reprise Records 26184First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | Canada | Reprise Records 92 61841First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UK | Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV098LP / Big Trilby Records LETV098LPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2013 | UK | Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV098LP / Big Trilby Records LETV098LPLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | UK | Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV098LP / Big Trilby Records LETV098LPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress · Limited, Colored vinyl |
14 vinyl pressings of Armchair Theatre are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1990 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in US, Canada, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Reprise Records 9 26184-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9 26184-1, 1-261841, 92 61841, 759926184-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1-26184-A-SR-1 Future Disc and 1-26184-B-SR-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.
