Vinyl pressings
by Level 42 · 1983
Microkid was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 5 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.
POSPX 643 A//4▽420 H 11 2Runout stamped side A, variant 1
POSPX 643 B//2▽420 V 11 2Runout stamped side B, variant 1
POSPX 643 A//3▽420 H 11 1Runout stamped side A, variant 2
POSPX 643 B//1▽420 V 11 2Runout stamped side B, variant 2
POSP 643 A//6∇420 V 1 1 6Runout side A
POSP 643 B//1∇420 V 11 1Runout side B
LEVEL 643 A//1 ▽420 V 11 1Side C runout, stamped
LEVEL 643 B//1 ▽420 V 11 2Side D runout, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Liberation Records LMD 221First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1983 | France | Polydor 881 171-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | France | Polydor 815 514-1First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | France | Polydor 821 253-7First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Polydor 815 514-1First year12", EP, 45 RPM | 12", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Polydor 815 514-7First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Single | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor POSPX 643 / Polydor LEVEL 643First year12", Single, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Single, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor POSPX 643First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1983 | UK | Not On LabelFirst year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor POSPX 643First year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor POSPX 643First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records SP-12091First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records SP-12091First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records AM-2631First year7" | 7" |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records AM-2631First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
20 vinyl pressings of Microkid are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1983 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australia, France and more. One of them is Polydor POSPX 643, released October 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSPX 643, POSP 643, SP-12091, AM-2631) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSPX 643 A//4▽420 H 11 2 and POSPX 643 B//2▽420 V 11 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.
