Vinyl pressings
by Love And Money · 1988
Strange Kind Of Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 8 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.
836 498 1 S1=1 670 07 11 8Runout side A, variant 1
836 498 1 S2=1 670 07 1112Runout side B, variant 1
836 498 1 S1=1 670 07 1117Runout side A, variant 2
836 498 1 S2=1 670 07 1116Runout side B, variant 2
JA SFLP 7 A-3U-1-1Runout side A. Var. 1
SFLP 7 B-3U-1-1Runout side B. Var. 1
JA SFLP 7 A-2U-1-1Runout side A. Var. 2
SFLP 7 B-3U-1-1Runout side B. Var. 2
422-836-498-1-AS-HRM STERLING A-1 ᐉRunout A
422-836-498-1-BS-HRM STERLING A-1 ᐉRunout B
422-836-498-1-AS-HRM STERLING A-1 ᐉSide A runout, etched (exc. ᐉ), var. 1
422-836-498-1-BS-HRM STERLING A-1 ᐉSide B runout, etched (exc. ᐉ), var. 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | Mercury 836 498-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Fontana 836 498-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | Fontana 836 498-1 / Polygram INT. 836 498-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | Fontana 836 498-1 / Polygram 836 498-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | South Africa | Fontana STARL 5548First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | Fontana 836 498-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | Fontana SFLP 7 / Fontana 836 498-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | Fontana SFLP 7 / Fontana 836 498-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK & Europe | Fontana 836 498-1 / Fontana SFLP 7First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Mercury 836 498-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Mercury 422 836 498-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Mercury 422 836 498-1 / Mercury 836 498-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Strange Kind Of Love are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK & Europe, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Fontana 836 498-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 836 498-1, SFLP 7, 422 836 498-1, STARL 5548) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 836 498 1 S1=1 670 07 11 8 and 836 498 1 S2=1 670 07 1112. 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.
