Vinyl pressings
by Marty Balin · 1983
Lucky 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.
10 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 7 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.
ST-1-17088•Z4 TML-S ---◁Runout A - variant 1
ST-2-17088 Z-7 TML-M ---◁Runout B - variant 1
ST-1-17088•Z4 TML-S ---◁Runout A - variant 2
ST-2-17088 Z-4 TML-S #2 ---◁Runout B - variant 2
ST-1-17088 • Z7 #2 TML-S 0Side A runout
ST-2-17088 • Z-1 #1 TML-S 0
ST 17088 A² ◎Side A, etched, Capitol Target Logo stamped
ST 17088 B JW ◎Side B, etched, Capitol Target Logo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | EMI America ST.17088First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | EMI America ST-17088First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | EMI America 2C 070 400155First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | EMI America 1C 064 400155First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | EMI America 400 155LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Germany | EMI America 1C 064 400 155First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | EMI America EYS-81555First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Portugal | EMI America 11C 078-400155First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | EMI America ST-17088First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | EMI America ST-17088First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | EMI America EYS-81555First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of Lucky are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Australia, Canada, France and more. One of them is EMI America ST-17088.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-17088, ST.17088, 2C 070 400155, 1C 064 400155) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-17088•Z4 TML-S ---◁ and ST-2-17088 Z-7 TML-M ---◁. 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.
