Vinyl pressings
by Madness · 1984
Michael Caine 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.
22 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 12 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.
BUYIT 196 A//2▽420 T 1 1 11Side A runout, variant 1
BUYIT 196 B//2▽420 T 1 1 10Side B runout, variant 1
BUYIT 196 A//2▽420 T 1 1 2Side A runout, variant 2
BUYIT 196 B//2▽420 T 1 1 2Side B runout, variant 2
BUY - 196 · A2 Bilbo. Tape One ARunout side A, variant 1
BUY - 196 · B1 Bilbo. Tape One C 1 5Runout side B, variant 1
BUY - 196 · A1 Bilbo. Tape One ARunout side A, variant 2
BUY - 196 · B1 1 0 Bilbo. Tape One CRunout side B, variant 2
P BUY+196+AA-Side runout
P+BUY+196+B ORLAKEB-Side runout
BUY - 196 · A3 Bilbo. Tape One SWRunout side A, etched
BUY - 196 · B3 Bilbo. Tape One SWRunout side B, etched
BUY - IT 196 - A2 BILBO TAPE ONESide A runout
BUY - IT 196 B2 BILBO TAPE ONESide B runout
BUY-196.A2 BILBO TAPE ONE C AA-Side runout
BUY-196 B1 C BILBO TAPE ONE AB-Side 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 | Stiff Records buy 196 / Festival Records K-9348First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | France | Stiff Records Buy it 196 / Stiff Records 601287First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.20315First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.14072 / Stiff Records BUY 196First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | Stiff Records 106278 / Stiff Records 106 278First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Ireland | Stiff Records BUY 196First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Japan | Stiff Records VIPX-1748First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Japan | Stiff Records VIPX-1748First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Stiff Records 106 278 / Stiff Records 106.278First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Stiff Records BUY 196First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Scandinavia | Stiff Records BUY 196 / Stiff Records BUY-196First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | South Africa | Stiff Records BUY 196First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Stiff Records VIC-125 / Stiff Records A 10.296First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Stiff Records Buy it 196 / Stiff Records Buyit 196First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Stiff Records Buy 196First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
24 vinyl pressings of Michael Caine are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Germany, Australia, France and more. One of them is Stiff Records Buy it 196.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use Buy it 196, Buy 196, Pbuy 196, BUY DJ 196) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUYIT 196 A//2▽420 T 1 1 11 and BUYIT 196 B//2▽420 T 1 1 10. 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.
