Vinyl pressings
by Kurtis Blow · 1985
America was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 8 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.
422•846•141•1•AS2•1-2 Q A PRC 266-826-2Variant 1, Side 1 runouts
422-826141-1-BS-PRC-R MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE JR :<) -1-2-2-Q 2 2SS-82S-2Variant 1, Side 2 runouts
422•826•141•1•AS•2 - 1-2 Q-1 PRCVariant 2, Side 1 runouts
422-826141-1-BS-PRC-R MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE JR :<) - 1-2-1-Q-1Variant 2, Side 2 runouts
A- ⊳ 422-826I41-I-AS-HRM HERbiE JR :<)Side A runout
A- ⊳ 422-826I41-I-BS-HRM HERbiE JR :<)Side B runout
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORKMachine stamp both sides
826 141-1.1Label A
826 141-1.2Label B
826141-1 1 01 ℗1985 200scratched
826141- 1 2 01 ℗1985 200scratched
826 141-1 XX 1 Y = 2 3 20 1A FRunout side A, variant 1
826 141 - 1 2 Y 320 F 1Runout side B, variant 1
826 141-1 XX 1 Y = 2 3 20 1A BRunout side A, variant 2
826 141 - 1 2 Y 320 A 1Runout side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Brazil | Mercury 826 141-1 / Mercury 826 141 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | Mercury 826 141-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | Mercury 826 141-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | Mercury 826 141-1LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Mercury 826 141-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Philippines | Mercury 826-141-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Club JABH 16First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Mercury 422 826 141-1 M-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Mercury 826 141-1 M-1 / Mercury 422-826 141-1 M-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-179First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-179First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of America are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Japan, Brazil and more. One of them is Mercury 422 826 141-1 M-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 422 826 141-1 M-1, 826 141-1 M-1, JABH 16, 25PP-179) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 422•846•141•1•AS2•1-2 Q A PRC 266-826-2 and 422-826141-1-BS-PRC-R MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE JR :<) -1-2-2-Q 2 2SS-82S-2. 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.
