Vinyl pressings
by Mari Wilson · 1983
Showpeople was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
PZAL 17626 2 420 1 2 2Runout side A, stamped Variant 1
NICKZRunout side A, etched Variant 1
PZAL 17626 1 420 1 2 2Runout side B, stamped Variant 1
NICKZ PENTHOUSERunout side B, etched Variant 1
PZAL 17626 2 420Runout side A, stamped
NICKZRunout side A, etched
PZAL 17626 1 420Runout side B, stamped
NICKZ PENTHOUSERunout side B, etched
LON-103A SHB 230 L=1 DM-2Runout side A
LON-103B SHB 230 L=1 DM-2Runout side B
810 999 - 1 S1 320 1ESide A
810 999 - 1 S2 320 1ASide B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | London Records LON 103First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | London Records 200 449 / Barclay 200.449First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Metronome 810 999-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Metronome 810 999-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Ireland | The Compact Organization COMP N2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | London Records L28P-1113First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Netherlands | London Records 810 104-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Portugal | The Compact Organization 00COMP 2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | The Compact Organization COMP N2 / Decca COMP N2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | The Compact Organization COMP N2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | London Records 9-56-015First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | The Compact Organization COMP 2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | The Compact Organization COMP 2First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | London Records 422-810 118-1 R-1 / London Records 810 118-1 R-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | London Records 422-810 118-1 R-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
15 vinyl pressings of Showpeople are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Canada, France and more. One of them is The Compact Organization COMP 2.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use COMP 2, 422-810 118-1 R-1, LON 103, 200 449) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PZAL 17626 2 420 1 2 2 and NICKZ. 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.
