Vinyl pressings
by Man · 1975
Maximum Darkness was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 5 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.
UAG 29872 A-2U R D 1 A PORKY PRIME CUTSide A runout, variant 1
UAG 29872 B-2U R D 1 PECKOSide B runout, variant 1
UAG 29872 A-2U O 1 A PORKY PRIME CUTSide A runout, variant 2
UAG 29872 B-2U GD 2 PECKOSide B runout, variant 2
SMX 48287Runout A, stamped
SMX 48288Runout B, stamped
SMX 48287 2ARunout A, etched
SMX 48288 2ARunout B, etched
S 29872 A-2 76 Made in GermanyRunout A, stamped, Variant 1
S 29872 B-1 76 ∆ Made in GermanyRunout B, stamped, Variant 1
S 29872 A-2 78 Made in GermanyRunout A, stamped, Variant 2
S 29872 B-2 78 ∆ Made in GermanyRunout B, stamped, Variant 2
UAG-29872-A 1S 6 - J 3GSide 1
UAG-29872-B 1SSide 2
89.448-I-A-1N²Side A runout
89.448-I-B-1N²Side A 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | United Artists Records L 35729First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | United Artists Records UAS 29 872 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Liberty LLS-80396 / Liberty UAG-29872First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Japan | Liberty LLS-80396First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Liberty LLS-80396 / Liberty UAG-29872First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Spain | United Artists Records 89448-IFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | United Artists Records UAG 29872First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | South Africa | United Artists Records UAS 7129LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Germany | United Artists Records 1C 064-82 936 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-82 936LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Germany | United Artists Records 1C 064-82 936LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | BGO Records BGOLP 43LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of Maximum Darkness are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1975 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, Australia, Germany, Japan and more. One of them is United Artists Records UAG 29872.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UAG 29872, L 35729, UAS 29 872 XOT, LLS-80396) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, UAG 29872 A-2U R D 1 A PORKY PRIME CUT and UAG 29872 B-2U R D 1 PECKO. 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.
