Vinyl pressings
by Linton Kwesi Johnson · 1984
Making History was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 9 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.
ILPS 9770 A-1U-1-1 ¹`Variant 1 run-out side A
ILPS 9770 B-2U-1-1 ¹` SOUND CLINICVariant 1 run-out side B
ILPS 9770 A-1U-1-1-3Variant 2 run-out side A
ILPS 9770 B-2U-1-1-1 SOUND CLINICVariant 2 run-out side B
ILPS 9770 A-1U-1-1 ¹` JonzRunout A
ILPS 9770 B-2U-1-1 ¹` 11 SOUND CLINICRunout B
MLPS-9770-A-RE STERLING B- <->Side A runout
MLPS-9770-B-RE STERLING B-1 <->Side B runout
MLPS 9970-ASide A label
MLPS 9970-BSide B label
MLPS-9770-A-RE B-3 <->Side A Runout etched
MLPS-9770-B-RE B-2 <->Side B Runout etched
STERLINGRunout stamped Side A+B
B- <--> MLPS-9770-A-RE STERLINGside A, etched/STERLING stamped
B- <--> MLPS-9770-B-RE STERLINGside B, etched/STERLING stamped
DM 206155 A-1/84 S III Made in GermanyRunout side A, variant 1
DM 206155 B-1/84 S III II. Made in GermanyRunout side B, variant 1
DM 206155 A-1/84 S III Made in GermanyRunout side A, variant 2
DM 206155 B-1/84 S III Made in GermanyRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | Island Records ISL 9770First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | Island Records 818 587-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19770First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | Island Records 25SI-211 / Polystar 25SI-211First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Scandinavia | Island Records ILPS 9770First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | South Africa | Island Records ILPC 29770First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Mango MLPS 9770First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Mango MLPS 9770First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Mango MLPS 9770First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Island Records 206 155 / Island Records 206 155-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9770First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9770First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Unknown | Island Records 353 811-7LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Island Records 206 155 / Island Records 206 155-320LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9770LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
15 vinyl pressings of Making History are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1984 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Europe, Canada and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9770, released March 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9770, MLPS 9770, 206 155, ISL 9770) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9770 A-1U-1-1 ¹` and ILPS 9770 B-2U-1-1 ¹` SOUND CLINIC. 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.
