Vinyl pressings
by Junior Murvin · 1979
Police And Thieves was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
WIP 6539 A-1U 10 JONZ 1Runout side A variant 1
WIP 6539 B-2U M SOUND CLINIC 1Runout side B variant 1
WIP 6539 A-1U V 1 JONZRunout side A variant 2
WIP 6539 B-2U O SOUND CLINIC 1Runout side B variant 2
SMX 56529 U2A 347Side A runout
SMX 56530 W2A 407Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Island Records K-7975First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Brazil | Island Records 102 025First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Ireland | Island Records WIP 6539First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records WIP 6539First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records WIP 6539First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records WIP 6539First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records WIP 6539First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Germany | Island Records 102 025 / Island Records 102 025-1007", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Island Records WIP 65397", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Island Records WIP 65397", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Reissue, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Reissue, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Island Records WIP 65397", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
11 vinyl pressings of Police And Thieves are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1979 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Australia, Brazil, Ireland. One of them is Island Records WIP 6539.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WIP 6539, K-7975, 102 025) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WIP 6539 A-1U 10 JONZ 1 and WIP 6539 B-2U M SOUND CLINIC 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.
