Vinyl pressings
by Lou Reed · 1982
The Blue Mask was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
30 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 18 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.
AFL1.4112-A 1 I STERLING A1 NSide A runout, variant 1
AFL1-4221-B 1 I STERLING A2 ESide B runout, variant 1
AFL1.4112-A 1 I STERLING A1 LSide A runout, variant 2
AFL1-4221-B 1 I STERLING A2 DSide B runout, variant 2
[AGI logo]81 12 PL 14221 A YD.Side A runout
[AGI logo]8 12 PL 14221 BSide B runout
PL 14221 ASide A label
PL 14221 BSide B label
AFL1 4221-A-2 DBSide 1 runout - etched
AFL1 4221-B-3 DBSide 2 runout - etched
AFL1-4221A
AFL1-4221B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Argentina | RCA Victor AVI-4990 / RCA Victor AFL1-4221First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Argentina | RCA Victor AVI-4990 / RCA Victor AFL1-4221First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | Australia | RCA International VAL 1 0587First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Australia & New Zealand | RCA Victor AFL1-4221 / RCA MX196179First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Belgium | RCA RCA LP 6028 PL 14221First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Brazil | RCA 104 4162First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | RCA AFL1-4221First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | RCA RCA LP 6028 / RCA PL 14221First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | RCA 29032-0 / RCA 29 032-0LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1982 | Germany | RCA PL 14221First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | RCA RCA LP 6028 / RCA PL 14221First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | RCA RCA LP 6028 / RCA PL 14221First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | RCA RCA LP 6028 / RCA PL 14221First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | RCA RCA LP 6028 / RCA PL 14221First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1982 | Greece | RCA MAL RCLP 20233First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | USA & Europe | RCA AFL1-4221 / RCA 88985349081LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | RCA International NL84780 / RCA NL84780LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | RCA NL84780 / RCA International NL84780LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | RCA International NL84780 / RCA NL84780LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | RCA NL-84780LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK & Europe | RCA International NL84780 / RCA NL84780LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | USA & Europe | RCA 88985349081LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
44 vinyl pressings of The Blue Mask are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1982 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, France, Italy, Australia and more. One of them is RCA Victor AFL1-4221, released February 23, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AFL1-4221, PL 14221, APL1 4221, AVI-4990) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AFL1.4112-A 1 I STERLING A1 N and AFL1-4221-B 1 I STERLING A2 E. 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.
