UK
1977- Label and catalog number
- Island Records ILPS 9499
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
ILPS 9499 A-1 R 1Side A runout
ILPS 9499 B-1 A 1Side B runout
ILPS 9499-ASide A label
ILPS 9499-BSide B label
Vinyl pressings
Police & Thieves
by Junior Murvin · 1977
24 pressings9 countriesRoots ReggaeReggae
Police & Thieves was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Police & Thieves
12 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 7 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.
UK
1977- Label and catalog number
- Island Records ILPS 9499
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
ILPS 9499 A1 JONZ EG I-12A etched variant 1
ILPS 9499 B1 EG I-10B etched variant 1
ILPS 9499 A1 JONZ EG I-8A etched variant 2
ILPS 9499 B1 EG I-14B etched variant 2
UK
1977- Label and catalog number
- Island Records ILPS 9499
- Format
- LP, Album, White Label, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
ILPS 9499 A-1 R 1Side A runout
ILPS 9499 B-1 A 1Side B runout
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Mango MLPS9499
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
MLPS-9499-A (circled 2) pit KENDUN BSide 1
MLPS-9499-B (scratched out A) (circled 2) pit KENDUN BSide 2
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Mango MLPS 9499
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Pitman
- Runout / matrix
MLPS-9499-A (a circled '2') PIT KENDUN BSide A Runout
MLPS-9499-B CP-4 STERLINGSide B Runout
p MLPS-9499-A ②Pit KENDUN BSide A, variant 2
MLPS -9499- B p CP-4 STERLINGSide B, variant 2
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Mango MLPS 9499
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
MLPS-9499-A ② pit KENDUN BEtched side A runout
MLPS-9499-B(scratched out A) ② pit KENDUN BEtched side B runout
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 24 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s13 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | France | Island Records 9101 677First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19499First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Jamaica | UpsettersFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Nigeria | Island Records ILPS 9499First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | South Africa | Island Records STAR 246First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9499First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9499First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9499First yearLP, Album, White Label, Stereo | LP, Album, White Label, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Mango MLPS9499First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Mango MLPS 9499First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Mango MLPS 9499First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Mango MLPS 9499 / Mango MLPS-9499First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9499LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
1980s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9499LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
2010s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9499LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2017 | US | 4 Men With Beards 4m700LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
2020s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | US | 4 Men With Beards 4M 7001LP / 4 Men With Beards FMN 7001LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | US | 4 Men With Beards 4M 7001LPLP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2024 | Europe | Island Records ILPS9499LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 2026 | Germany | Island Records ILPS 9499LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
Year unknown4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | UpsetterLP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Unknown | UpsetterLP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Jamaica | Upsetter MLPS-9499LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Mango MLPS 9499 / Mango MLPS-9499LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Tracklist
- A1Roots Train
- A2Police And Thieves
- A3Solomon
- A4Rescue Jah Children
- A5Tedious
- B1False Teachin'
- B2Easy Task
- B3Lucifer
- B4Workin' In The Cornfield
- B5I Was Appointed
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Police & Thieves are there?
24 vinyl pressings of Police & Thieves are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1977 and 2026.
When was Police & Thieves first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, France, Italy and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9499.
How do I tell if my copy of Police & Thieves is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9499, MLPS9499, MLPS 9499, 9101 677) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9499 A-1 R 1 and ILPS 9499 B-1 A 1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Police & Thieves on vinyl worth?
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.