Vinyl pressings
by Lene Lovich · 1978
Lucky Number was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 1978, 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.
BUY 42 A-1U S.A. NUMBER THREE * HAPPY NEW YEAR 3 V ["]A-side runout, variant 1
BUY 42 B-1U STEVE'S 2 TPB-side runout, variant 1
BUY 42 A-1U S.A. NUMBER THREE * HAPPY NEW YEAR HG ;A-side runout, variant 2
BUY 42 B-1U STEVE'S OL 4B-side runout, variant 2
BUY 42 A-1UA-Side - Stamped
S.A.A-Side - Etched
NUMBER THREE * HAPPY NEW YEARA-Side - Etched
3 V ["]A-Side - Stamped
640. 163 - A1Side A Etched
640 163 - B1Side B Etched
6.20014-01-1 Manufactured in Germany H1Runout side A
6.20014-01-2 Manufactured in Germany H1Runout side B
6.20014-01-1On label side A
6.20014-01-2On label side B
6. 20014-01-1 H1 Manufactured in GermanyRunout stamped/etched side A
6. 20014-01-2 H1 Manufactured in GermanyRunout stamped/etched side B
6.20 014-01-1Label side A
6.20 014-01-2Label side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Belgium | Stiff Records 640.163First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Belgium | Barclay 740511First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.20 014 / Stiff Records 6.20014 AEFirst year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.20014 / Stiff Records 6.20 014First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Japan | Stiff Records VIP-2736First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Stiff Records BUY 42First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Stiff Records BUY 42First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Portugal | Stiff Records NP/BUY 42First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 42First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Stiff Records BUY DJ42First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Australia | Stiff Records K-7420 / Stiff Records BUY-427", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Stiff-Epic 12E4 836812", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1979 | France | Barclay 740 516 / Stiff Records 740 51612", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | France | Stiff Records 640.1637", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | France | Stiff Records 640.1637", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Italy | Stiff Records STIF 1107", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Stiff Records STIF 1107", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Mexico | Musart TI-70401 / Trebol TI-7040112" | 12" |
| 1980 | Mexico | Musart MI 307027", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Mexico | Musart MI 307027", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Belgium | Stiff Records 740.511 / Barclay 740.51112", Single | 12", Single |
| ? | Belgium | Stiff Records 640.163 / Barclay 640.1637", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Belgium | Stiff Records 640.1637", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Belgium | Stiff Records 640.1637", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
42 vinyl pressings of Lucky Number are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1978 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Belgium, Germany, Japan and more. One of them is Stiff Records BUY 42.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUY 42, BUY DJ42, 640.163, 740511) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUY 42 A-1U S.A. NUMBER THREE * HAPPY NEW YEAR 3 V ["] and BUY 42 B-1U STEVE'S 2 TP. 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.
