Vinyl pressings
by Jeffrey Osborne · 1984
The Borderlines 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.
15 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 6 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.
SP 012116 A-RE1 - ES2 Emw TML-SRunout, Side A
A+M SP-012116-B "'" ES1 Emw TML-MRunout, Side B
SP-012116-APrinted on label, Side A
SP-012116-BPrinted on label, Side B
A&M-AM-02695-A RCA2 [Flower Symbol] I AIEtched Side A, except I AI stamped
A&M-AM-02695-B RCA2 [Flower Symbol] I A2Etched Side A, except I A2 stamped
AM-02695-AA Side Label
AM-02695-BB Side Label
A&M-AM-02695-A C1 ❀ G1A runout
A&M-AM-02695-B C2 ❀ G1B runout
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 | Canada | A&M Records SP 12116First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Canada | A&M Records AM 2695First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | A&M Records AMS 9820First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | New Zealand | A&M Records K 9596First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Spain | A&M Records AMS 9820First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | A&M Records AMY 230First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | A&M Records AM 230First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | A&M Records AM 230First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records SP-12116First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records SP-12116First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records AM-2695First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records AM 2695First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records AM-2695First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records AM-2695First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records AM-2695First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | A&M Records AM-026957", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
23 vinyl pressings of The Borderlines are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Canada, Netherlands and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-12116.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-12116, AM-2695, AM 2695, AMY 230) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP 012116 A-RE1 - ES2 Emw TML-S and A+M SP-012116-B "'" ES1 Emw TML-M. 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.
