Vinyl pressings
by Joan Armatrading · 1981
Walk Under Ladders was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
AMLH · 64876 . A.3Etched, side A runout variant 1
AMLH - 64876 . B.3Etched, side B runout variant 1
TOWN HOUSEStamped, sides A and B runout variant 1
AMLH 64876 A-1 TOWN HOUSESide A runout variant 2
A&M SP 04876.A. S1 B2 1S AMIGO.PBSide A runout variant 1
A&M SP 04876.B. S2 C6 1S AMIGO.PBSide B runout variant 1
A&M SP ̶x̶x̶x̶x̶ 04876.A. S2 A1 1S AMIGO.PBSide A runout variant 2
A&M SP 04876.B. S2 B9 AMIGO.PB 1SSide B runout variant 2
SP04876-A R̸C̸A̸ 1 I A1ESide A runout
SP04876-B R̸C̸A̸ 1 I A1ESide B runout
(SP-04876-A)Side A label
(SP-04876-B)Side B label
A&M SP04876-A-T3 E 1TSide A runout, variant 1, etched
A&M SP04876-B-T2 AMIGO-PB 1TSide B runout, variant 1, etched
A&M SP04876-A-T3 D 1TSide A runout, variant 2
A&M SP04876-B-T2 AMIGO-PB 1TSide B runout, variant 2
A&M 04876-A-P2 AMIGO.PBSide A runout, etched
A&M 04876-B-P2 AMIGO PBSide B runout, etched
AMIGO.PB A&M SPxxxx.04876.A.P1Side A runout, etched, variant 2
AMIGO PB A&M.SP 04876-B-P2Side B runout, etched, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | A&M Records RML 53007 / A&M Records RML-53007First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4876First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64876First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64876First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64876First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | A&M Records 394 876-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | A&M Records AMLH 64876First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Israel | A&M Records AMLH 64876First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | A&M Records AMLH 64876First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28047First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28047First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | A&M Records SMX-57303 / Festival Records Pty. Ltd. L37561First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Portugal | A&M Records 2PSP-4876First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | A&M Records AMLH 64876First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | A&M Records AMLH 64876First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Greece | A&M Records 394 876-1 / Polygram 394 876-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | A&M Records 394 876-1 / Polygram 394 876-1LP, Album, Reissue, White Label | LP, Album, Reissue, White Label |
| ? | Israel | A&M Records AMLH 64876LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
28 vinyl pressings of Walk Under Ladders are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1981 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records AMLH 64876, released September 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMLH 64876, SP-4876, RML 53007, SP 4876) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMLH · 64876 . A.3 and AMLH - 64876 . B.3. 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.
