Vinyl pressings
by Machiavel · 1980
Fly 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.
4 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 4 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.
006-23988 -A-1Y ƱRunout side A, variant 1
006-23988 -B-1Y ƱRunout side B, variant 1
006-23988 -A-1Y 5 2 [Utopia lyre symbol]Runout side A, variant 2
006-23988 -B-1Y 6 2 [Utopia lyre symbol]Runout side B, variant 2
006-23988 -A-1Y ƱRunout side A (stamped)
006-23988 -B-1Y ƱRunout side B (stamped)
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 | Benelux | Harvest 1A 006-23988First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Germany | Harvest 1C 006-23 988First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | Harvest 23 9887", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Netherlands | EMI Records Holland B.V.First year7", 45 RPM, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1980 | Portugal | EMI 11C 008-19 049First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Accord ACX 135 044 / Accord ACX 1350447", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Mexico | EMI 85647", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | EMI EM 10067", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Spain | Harvest 10C 006-019.0497", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | UK | EMI EMI 51317", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Europe | EMI 11934877", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
11 vinyl pressings of Fly are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1980 and 1992.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in Benelux, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal. One of them is Harvest 1A 006-23988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1A 006-23988, 1C 006-23 988, 11C 008-19 049) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 006-23988 -A-1Y Ʊ and 006-23988 -B-1Y Ʊ. 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.
