Vinyl pressings
by Lou Reed · 1984
New Sensations 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.
19 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 14 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.
AFL1-4998-A-RCA I I ABL STERLING ⚾︎Runout A, variant 1
AFL1-4998-B-RCA I I ABL STERLING ⚾︎Runout B, variant 1
AFL1-4998-A-RCA I ABR STERLING ⚾︎Runout A, Variant 2
AFL1-4998-B-RCA I A2BB STERLING ⚾︎Runout B, Variant 2
DM B-1020 A-1/84 S III III Made in GermanySide A runout, variant 1
DM B-1020 B-1/84 S III Made in GermanySide B runout, variant 1
DM B-1020 A-1/84 S III IVSide A runout, variant 2
DM B-1020 B-1/84 S III IISide B runout, variant 2
DM B-1020 A-1/84 S III II Made in GermanySide A, variant 1
DM B-1020 B-1/84 S III Made in GermanySide B, variant 1
DM B-1020 A-1/84 S III Made in GermanySide A, variant 2
DM B-1020 B-1/84 S III Made in GermanySide B, variant 2
AFL1 998A-3 APHand Etched Side A
AFL1 998B APHand Etched Side B
AFL 4998 ALabel A
AFL 4998 BLabel B
AFL1 998A-3 APHand Etched Side A
AFL1 998B APHand Etched Side B
AFL 4998 ALabel A
AFL 4998 BLabel B
AFL1 4998 A1Variant 1 side A runout
AFL1 4998 B1 CRVariant 1 side B runout
AFL1 4998 A1 G. CRVariant 2 side A runout
AFL1 4998 B1 G. CRVariant 2 side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia & New Zealand | RCA Victor APL1-4998First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australia & New Zealand | RCA Victor APL1-4998First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | RCA Victor AFL 1-4998 / RCA Victor AFL1-4998First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | RCA PL84998First yearLP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1984 | Greece | RCA RCLP 20308First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | RCA RCLP 20308LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Israel | RCA AFL 1-4998 / RCA Victor AFL 1-4998First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | RCA PL 84998First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | RCA PL 84998First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | Japan | RCA RPL-8249First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | RCA RPL-8249First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | RCA Victor APL 14998First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Portugal | RCA Victor PL 14998 / RCA PL 14998First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | South Africa | RCA ML 4762 / RCA Victor ML 4762First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | RCA PL-84998First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | RCA Victor AFL 1-4998 / RCA Victor AFL1-4998LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
21 vinyl pressings of New Sensations are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK & Europe, Australia & New Zealand, Canada and more. One of them is RCA Victor AFL1-4998, released May 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AFL1-4998, PL84998, APL1-4998, AFL 1-4998) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AFL1-4998-A-RCA I I ABL STERLING ⚾︎ and AFL1-4998-B-RCA I I ABL STERLING ⚾︎. 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.
