Vinyl pressings
by Level 42 · 1987
Running In The Family was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
44 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 16 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-842-A4 Townhouse Key MTSide A runout groove, etched, variant 1
POSPX-842-B2 Townhouse MTSide B runout groove, etched, variant 1
RUN-1-A1 MT TownhouseSide C runout groove, etched, variant 1
RUN-1-B1 MT TownhouseSide D runout groove, etched, variant 1
POSPX-842-A4 11 MT TOWNHOUSE KEV 6Runout side A, variant 1
POSPX-842-B.1 11 MT TOWNHOUSE 1Runout side B, variant 1
POSPX-842-A3 11 MT TOWNHOUSE KEVRunout side A, variant 2
POSPX-842-B2 11 MT TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 2
POSP-42-A A LYN-18388-1TH Z ① TOWNHOUSE KEVA-side runout, etched variant 1
POSP-842-B LYN-18389-1TH Z ① TOWNHOUSEB-side runout, etched variant 1
POSP-42-A A LYN-18388-1TH Z ① TOWNHOUSE KEVA-side runout, etched variant 2
POSP-42-A A LYN-18388-1TH Z ② TOWNHOUSE KEVB-side runout, etched variant 2
POSP-842-A3 TOWNHOUSE KEV 1 1 5 MTA-side runout - etched/stamped, var. 1
POSP-842-B2 TOWNHOUSE 1 MTB-side runout - etched/stamped, var. 1
POSP-842-A4 TOWNHOUSE KEV 1 1 4 MTA-side runout - etched/stamped, var. 2
POSP-842-B1 TOWNHOUSE 3 MTB-side runout - etched/stamped, var. 2
POSP-42-AA-Side run-out, hand-etched
POSP-842-BB-Side run-out, hand-etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australasia | Polydor 885 518-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Australasia | Polydor 885 518-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Australasia | Polydor 885 518-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | Polydor POLSX 126First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1987 | Canada | Polydor POLS 126First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Canada | Polydor DJP 232First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | France | Polydor 885 518-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | France | Polydor 885 518-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Polydor 885 518-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Polydor 885 518-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Germany | Polydor 885 518-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Guatemala | Polydor 887 288-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Italy | Polydor 885 518-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Italy | Polydor 885 518-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | Italy | Polydor 885 518-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Polydor 885 518-77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
46 vinyl pressings of Running In The Family are listed here, from 17 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is Polydor POSXX 842, released February 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSXX 842, POSPX 842, POSP 842, POSPX 842-DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSPX-842-A4 Townhouse Key MT and POSPX-842-B2 Townhouse MT. 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.
