Vinyl pressings
by Jimmy Lifton · 1986
I'm A Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 4 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.
L-25262 OR-004-A MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE JR :^)A side runout
L-25262-X OR-004-B MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE JR :^)B side runout
ST-A-51318-ARlabels (both sides)
ST-A-51318-SPlabels (both sides)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Atlantic 7-89274First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Germany | Bellaphon 120·07·219First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1986 | Germany & Switzerland | Bellaphon 100·07·413First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | US | Orphan Records OR-004First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1986 | US | Atlantic DMD 1026First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Atlantic 7-89274First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | US | Atlantic 7-89274First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Atlantic 7-89274First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | Australia | Atlantic 0-86726 / Orphan Records 0-8672612", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1987 | US | Atlantic STDM 53120 51318 1 / Atlantic 0 8672612" | 12" |
10 vinyl pressings of I'm A Man are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, Australia, Germany, Germany & Switzerland. One of them is Orphan Records OR-004.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use OR-004, 7-89274, DMD 1026, 120·07·219) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, L-25262 OR-004-A MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE JR :^) and L-25262-X OR-004-B MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE JR :^). 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.
