Vinyl pressings
by Lou Reed · 1980
Growing Up In Public was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, the album's first year, in 19 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.
AL A̶S̶ 9522-SA-CS4 15 SXT STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
AL A̶S̶ 9522-SB-CS2 SXT STERLING GC 15Side B runout, variant 1
AL A̶S̶ 9522-SA-CS4 15 C2 STERLING SXT 1SSide A runout, variant 2
AL A̶S̶ 9522-SB-CS2 SXT 1B STERLING GC 1SSide B runout, variant 2
AL A̶S̶ 9522-SA-CS4 A1 STERLING 1 SRunout side A, variant 1
AL A̶S̶ 9522-SB-CS2 A 9 STERLING gc. 1 SRunout side B, variant 1
AL9522-SA-CS6 A1 STERLING 1SRunout side A, variant 2
AL A̶S̶ 9522-SB-CS2 A 9 STERLING gc. 1SRunout side B, variant 2
AL 9522-SA-CS6 SX A STERLING P S2Side A runout
P AL 9522-SB-CP2 STERLINGSide B runout
AL 9522 SASide A label
AL 9522 SBSide B label
AL A̶S̶ 9522-SA-TV1 HuB STERLINGEtched/Stamped, Runout Side A
AL A̶S̶ 9522-SB-TV1 HuB STERLINGEtched/Stamped, Runout Side B
AL 9522 SAA Side Label
AL 9522 SBB Side Label
AL 9522-SA-TV1Runout side A etched
AS 9522-SB-TV1Runout side B etched
STERLINGRunout side B stamped
AL 9522 SALabel matrix side A
AL 9522·SA-CS6 A2 STERLING L5Side A
AL 9522-SB-CS3 A2 L5Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | Arista sup 80111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Arista AL 9522 / Festival Records L 37293First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Arista AL 9522 / Festival Records L 37293LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Brazil | Arista 202 120First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista AL 9522First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Colombia | Arista 18(0931)00100First yearLP | LP |
| 1980 | France | Arista 202 120 / Arista 202120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Arista 202 120First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1980 | Germany | Arista 202 120First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | Arista 6483 217First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | Arista 6483 217LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Italy | Arista ARS 39046First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Arista 25RS-90 / Arista AL-9522-SAFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Arista 25RS-90 / Arista AL 9552 -SAFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Arista 202.120 / Arista 202 120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Arista AL 9522 / Festival Records L 37293LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | Arista AL 9522LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Italy | Arista ARS 39046 / Arista ARS 25030LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Spain | Arista I-202120 / Arista I-202.120LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Spain | Arista I-202120 / Arista I-202.120LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
37 vinyl pressings of Growing Up In Public are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1980 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Arista AL 9522, released April 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 9522, SPART 1131, sup 80111, 202 120) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL A̶S̶ 9522-SA-CS4 15 SXT STERLING and AL A̶S̶ 9522-SB-CS2 SXT STERLING GC 15. 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.
