Vinyl pressings
by King Crimson · 1984
Three Of A Perfect Pair was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 17 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.
EGLP 55 A ▽ 2 420 HRunout A-side, stamped variant 1
EGLP 55 B // 1 ▽ 420 HRunout A-side, stamped variant 1
EGLP 55 A // 3 ▽ 420 HRunout A-side, stamped variant 2
EGLP 55 B // 3 ▽ 420 HRunout B-side, stamped variant 2
EGLP 55A-1U-1-1-Runout stamp side A, variant 1
EGLP 55B-1U-1-1-Runout stamp side B, variant 1
EGLP 55A-1U-1-1- DRunout stamp side A, variant 2
EGLP 55B-1U-1-1- DRunout stamp side B, variant 2
12.5071-A - SH 1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-19031-SH1 SLM ∆ 6182 1 - 1 STERLING ⚾Side A, Variant 1
12 5071-B - SH 1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-19032-SH1 SLM ∆ 6182 - X 1 - 1 STERLING ⚾Side B, Variant 1
12.5071-A - SH 1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-19031-SH1 SLM ∆ 6182 1 - 1 STERLING ⚾Side A, Variant 2
12 5071-B - SH 2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-19032-SH2 SLM ∆ 6182 - X 1 - 1 STERLING ⚾Side B, Variant 2
1·2 · 5071-A JW1 #1 STERLING 0Side A runout, variant 1
1·2 · 5071-B JW1 #2 STERLING 0Side B runout, variant 1
1·2 · 5071-A JW1 #1 STERLING 0Side A runout, variant 2
1·2 · 5071-B JW2 #1 STERLING 0Side B runout, variant 2
1.2.5071-A-WW1 -----< STERLING ⚾A runout, variant 1
1.2.5071-B -WW2 STERLING -----<B runout, variant 1
1.2.5071-A-WW2 -----< STERLING ⚾A runout, variant 2
1.2.5071-B-WW1 #2 STERLING -----<B runout, variant 2
1.2.5071-A-JW1 0 STERLING ⚾Side A runout
1.2.5071-B JW2 #1 0 STERLING ⚾Side B runoutB runout, variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | EG 27185 / Polydor 27185First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australasia | EG 817 882-1 / Polydor 817 882-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australia | EG EGLP 55First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Brazil | EG 818 874-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 50711 / EG 92 50711First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | EG 817 882-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | EG 207 943-620 / Virgin 207 943-620First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | EG 817 882-1 / PolyGram 817 882-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | EG 817 882-1 / PolyGram 817 882-1LP, Album, White Label, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, White Label, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Israel | EG EGLP 55First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Israel | EG EG 55-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | EG 817 882-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Polydor 817 882-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Portugal | EG 817 882-1 / Polydor 817 882-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | South Africa | EG POLY 5633 / Polydor POLY 5633First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | UK & US | Discipline Global Mobile KCLP10 / Panegyric KCLP10LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2019 | Japan | Wowow Entertainment, Inc. IEPS 10LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Discipline Global Mobile KCLP10 / Panegyric KCLP10LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2022 | Worldwide | Discipline Global Mobile KCLLP10 / Panegyric KCLLP10LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | EG EGLP 55 / Polydor 817 882-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
37 vinyl pressings of Three Of A Perfect Pair are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1984 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Germany, Japan and more. One of them is EG EGLP 55, released March 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EGLP 55, 9 25071-1, 817 882-1, 28MM 0343) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EGLP 55 A ▽ 2 420 H and EGLP 55 B // 1 ▽ 420 H. 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.
