Vinyl pressings
by Joey Scarbury · 1981
America's Greatest Hero 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.
12 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
5E-537-A-SP + SLM + TML-X Δ806 SP 0-1 SMI-3Side A Runout
5E-537-B-SP + SLM + TML-X Δ806-X SP 0-1Side B Runout
5E-537-ASide A Label
5E-537-BSide B Label
5E-537-A2-AR + SLM ++ TML-S △806 [Allied ‘ɑ’ logo] B-15981-A2A side runout
5E-537-B2-AR + SLM + TML-S △806-X [Allied ‘ɑ’ logo] B-15982-B2B side runout
5E-537-AA side label
5E-537-BB side label
5E-537-AA side label
5E-537-BB side label
5E-537 A-1A T1A Side
5E-537 B-1A TB Side
5E-537-A-SP + SLM + TML-X Δ806 SP 0-1 SMI-3Side A Runout
5E-537-B-SP + SLM + TML-X Δ806-X SP 0-1Side B Runout
5E-537-ASide A Label
5E-537-BSide B Label
5E-537-A2-AR + SLM + TML-S △806 [Allied ‘ɑ’ logo] B-15981-A2A side runout
5E-537-B2-AR + SLM + TML-S △806-X [Allied ‘ɑ’ logo] B-15982-B2B side runout
5E-537-AA side label
5E-537-BB side label
5E 537A side label
5E 537B side label
NW 0+ MX205191 5E537-1A Side
NW 0+ MX205192 5E537-2B Side
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 | Elektra 5E 537First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra X5E-537First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Elektra P-11085EFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Elektra P-11085EFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Japan | Elektra P-11085EFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Philippines | Elektra 5E-537First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Elektra 5E-537First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Elektra 5E-537First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Elektra 5E-537First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Elektra 5E-537First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Elektra 5E-537First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Venezuela | Elektra E-22004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Taiwan | Liming Record LM-3114LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
13 vinyl pressings of America's Greatest Hero are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Australia, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Elektra 5E-537.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5E-537, 5E 537, X5E-537, P-11085E) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5E-537-A-SP + SLM + TML-X Δ806 SP 0-1 SMI-3 and 5E-537-B-SP + SLM + TML-X Δ806-X SP 0-1. 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.
