Vinyl pressings
by Lindsey Buckingham · 1981
Law And Order was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
27 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 21 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.
5E-561-A3-SH-AR + SLM + △915 Precision Lacquer SM ɑ B-16132-A3A-side etched, var. 1
5E-561-B3-SH-AR + SLM + △915-x Precision Lacquer SM ɑ B-16133-B3B-side etched, var. 1
5E-561-A2-SH-AR SLM + :+: △915 Precision Lacquer SM. ɑ B-16132-A2A-side etched, var. 2
5E-561-B2-SH-AR + :+: △915-X Precision Lacquer SM. B- 16133-B2B-side etched, var. 2
5E-561-A1-SH-SP + SLM + △915 Precision Lacquer SM. 0-1SM1-3Side A runout, variant 1
5E-561-B-SH-SP + SLM + △915-X Precision Lacquer SM. 0-1SM1-4Side B runout, variant 1
5E-561-A1-SH-SP + SLM + △915 Precision Lacquer SM. 0-1SM1-1Side A runout, variant 2
5E-561-B-SH-SP + SLM + △915-X Precision Lacquer SM. 0-1SM2-1Side B runout, variant 2
0-1SM2-2 5E-561-A1-SH-SP + SLM + △915 Precision Lacquer SM.A Side Etched
5E-561-B-SH-SP + SLM + △915-X Precision Lacquer SM. 0-1SM2-2B Side Etched
5E-561-A3-SH-AR + +△915 Precision Lacquer SM B-16132-A3A-side etched
5E-561-B3-SH-AR + +△915-X Precision Lacquer SM B-16133-B3B-side etched
5E-561-A1-SH-SP + SLM +△915 Precision Lacquer 0-1 SM 2-2A-side etched (variant 1)
5E-561-B-SH-SP + SLM +△915-X Precision Lacquer 0-1 SM 2-2B-side etched (variant 1)
6302167 A//1▽E420 1 1 2 RCSide A runout, variant 1
6302167 B//1▽E420 1 1 1Side B runout, variant 1
6302167 A//1▽E420 1 1 4 RCSide A runout, variant 2
6302167 B//1▽E420 1 1 2Side B runout, variant 2
6302167 A//1 E420 1 1 2Side A runout
6302167 B//1 E420 1 1 2Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australasia | Mercury 6302 167First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | Mercury 6302 167First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Asylum Records X5E-561 / Asylum Records X5E 561First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Mercury 6302 167First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | Mercury 6302 167First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | Mercury 6302 167First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1981 | Israel | Phonogram International B.V. 6302 167 / Phonokol Ltd. 6302 167First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Mercury 6302 167First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-33First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Mercury 6302 167First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Philippines | Mercury 6302 167First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Mercury 6302 167First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | Mercury 63 02 167 / Mercury 6302 167First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Mercury 6302167First yearLP, Advance, Album | LP, Advance, Album |
| 1981 | US | Asylum Records 5E-561LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | EMI 22033 / Odeon 22033LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | Netherlands | Mercury 6302 167LP, Album | LP, Album |
34 vinyl pressings of Law And Order are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Asylum Records 5E-561, released October 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5E-561, 6302 167, 6302167, X5E-561) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5E-561-A3-SH-AR + SLM + △915 Precision Lacquer SM ɑ B-16132-A3 and 5E-561-B3-SH-AR + SLM + △915-x Precision Lacquer SM ɑ B-16133-B3. 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.
