Vinyl pressings
by Kiki Dee · 1981
Perfect Timing 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.
15 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.
STRAWBERRY ARL 5050 A1 IT WILL BE PRECISESide A runout, stamped & etched
STAWBERRY NO SHORT CUTS ARL 5050 B1Side B runout, stamped & etched
✝ARL 5050-A✝Side A label
✝ARL 5050-B✝Side B label
AFL1-4180A -1 I A1 ARunout A - variant 1
AFL1-4180B -1 I A1 BRunout B - variant 1
AFL1-4180A -1 I A2 FRunout A - variant 2
AFL1-4180B -1 I A2 FRunout B - variant 2
AFL1 4180 A (CR)Runout Side A
AFL1 4180 B (CR)Runout Side B
203815 A-1/81S IRunout side A
S 203 815 ALabel Side A
S 203 815 BLabel Side B
203815 B-1/81S I
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 | Ariola VPL1 6579First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | Ariola 203 815First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | RCA AFL1-4180First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Ariola 203 815 / Ariola 203 815-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Ireland | Ariola ARL 5050First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Ariola ARL 39120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Ariola K28P-213First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Japan | Ariola K28P-213First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Mexico | Ariola LAE-375First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Ariola 203.815 / Ariola 203815First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Ariola ARL 5050First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | South Africa | Ariola ARL 8014First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Ariola I-203.815First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | RCA Victor AFL1-4180 / RCA AFL1-4180First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Ariola ARL 5050First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Music For Pleasure MFP 41 5754 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
17 vinyl pressings of Perfect Timing are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Ariola ARL 5050, released June 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ARL 5050, AFL1-4180, VPL1 6579, 203 815) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STRAWBERRY ARL 5050 A1 IT WILL BE PRECISE and STAWBERRY NO SHORT CUTS ARL 5050 B1. 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.
