Vinyl pressings
by Marillion · 1983
Garden Party 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.
13 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
EMI 5393 A-2U-1-1-7 ARUNRunout side A, Variant 1
EMI 5393 B-3U-1-1-1Runout side B, Variant 1
EMI 5393 A-2U-1-1-8 - x1 ARUNRunout side A, Variant 2 [ARUN etched]
EMI 5393 B-2U-1-2-6Runout side B, Variant 2
EMI 5393 A-1U-1-1-1Side A runout, stamped, variant 1
EMI 5393 B-2U-1-1-1Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
EMI 5393 A-1U-1-1-7Side A runout, stamped, variant 2
EMI 5393 B-1U-1-1-X1Side B runout, stamped, variant 2
EMIP+5393+A ORLAKESide A runout
EMIP+5393+B ORLAKESide B runout
12 EMI 5393 A-3U-1-1-Variant 1 Side A Run-out stamped
12 EMI 5393 B-3U-1-1-Variant 1 Side B Run-out stamped
12 EMI 5393 A-2U-1-1-Variant 2 Side A Run-out stamped
12 EMI 5393 B-2U-1-1-Variant 2 Side B Run-out stamped
12 EMI 5393 A-2U-1-2 1(rotated)Side A, Runout, Stamped
12 EMI 5393 B-3U-1-1 1(rotated)Side b, Runout, Stamped
12 EMI 5393 A-2U-1-2-13Side A runout stamped
12 EMI 5393 B-2U-1 - 3 - 14Side B runout stamped
12 EMI 5393 A-2U-1-1-21Side A runout stamped, variant 2
12 EMI 5393 B-3U-1-1-11Side B runout stamped, variant 2
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 | Australia | EMI EMI-1122First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Europe | EMI 1C 006 1077677 / EMI Electrola 1C 006 1077677First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | EMI EMI 5393First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 062Z-1077666First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 006-1077677First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 062Z-1077666First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | EMI EMIP 5393First year7", 45 RPM, Shape, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Shape, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1983 | UK | EMI 12 EMI 5393 / EMI 12EMI 5393First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | EMI 12 EMIS 5393First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | EMI 12 EMI 5393 / EMI 12EMI 5393First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | EMI EMIP 5393First year7", Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1983 | UK | EMI EMI 5393First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | EMI EMI 5393First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Spain | EMI 052 10 7766 612", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Spain | Not On Label 052-107766612", Reissue, White Label | 12", Reissue, White Label |
15 vinyl pressings of Garden Party are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1983 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, Europe, Ireland, Netherlands and more. One of them is EMI EMI 5393, released June 6, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 5393, EMIP 5393, 12 EMI 5393, 12 EMIS 5393) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 5393 A-2U-1-1-7 ARUN and EMI 5393 B-3U-1-1-1. 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.
