Vinyl pressings
by Lou Reed · 1983
Legendary Hearts 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.
20 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 15 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.
AFL14568-A 1 I STERLING ⚾︎ A1 XSide A runout, variant 1
AFL14568-B 1 I STERLING ⚾︎ A2 ZSide B runout, variant 1
AFL14568-A 1 I STERLING ⚾︎ A1 DSide A runout, variant 2
AFL14568-B 1 I STERLING ⚾︎ A2 DSide B runout, variant 2
AFL1 4568 AA Label
AFL1 4568 BB Label
RCA 104.4180-A .. 1SX Λ | ...Runout A, stamped
RCA 104.4180-B .. 1SX Λ | ...Runout B, stamped
AFL1 4568 A G. (CR)Side A runout
AFL1 4568 B. (CR) G.Side B runout
[AGI logo] 83 2 PL 14568 ASide A runout, stamped, variant 1
[AGI logo] 83 PL 14568 BSide B runout, stamped, variant 1
[AGI logo] 8 3 2 PL 145 6 8 A HSide A runout, stamped [etched: H], variant 2
[AGI logo] 8 3 PL 1 4 5 6 8 B Ⅲ A MSide B runout, stamped [etched: ⅢAM], variant 2
E-0029 A-2/83 S |||
E-0029 B-2/83 S |||
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 | RCA Victor AFL1-4568First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Brazil | RCA Victor 104.4180First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | RCA Victor AFL1-4568First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | RCA PL 14568 / RCA RCA LP 6071First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | RCA Victor NL89843First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | RCA Victor PL 84568First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | RCA NL89843First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | RCA RCLP 20257 / RCA AFL1-4568First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Israel | RCA Victor AFL1-4568First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | RCA PL14568First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Italy | RCA PL 14568First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | RCA RPL-8184First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | RCA RPL-8184 / RCA AFL1-4568First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | RCA Victor APL14568First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Portugal | RCA Victor PL-14568First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | RCA Victor 104.4180LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of Legendary Hearts are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is RCA Victor AFL1-4568.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AFL1-4568, 104.4180, PL 14568, NL89843) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AFL14568-A 1 I STERLING ⚾︎ A1 X and AFL14568-B 1 I STERLING ⚾︎ A2 Z. 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.
