Vinyl pressings
by Melba Moore · 1985
Read My Lips was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. 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 1985, the album's first year, in 9 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-1-12382-Z2 STERLING JS STERLING 0Side A runout, variant 1
ST-2-12382 Z1 #1 0 STERLING JS STERLING [crossed out / illegible]Side B runout, variant 1
ST-1-12382-Z1 STERLING JS STERLING 0Side A runout, variant 2
ST-2-12382 Z1 #1 0 STERLING JS STERLING S̶ T̶ - 1̶ 2̶Side B runout, variant 2
ST-1-12382Side A
ST-2-12382Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Barbados | Capitol Records ST-12382First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C 064 240289First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-12382First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Capitol Records 1C 064-24 0289 1 / EMI 1C 064 24 0289 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Portugal | Capitol Records 2402891 / EMI 2402891First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | South Africa | Capitol Records TOL(L) 7123821First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | Capitol Records EJ 2402891 / Capitol Records MEL 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | Capitol Records MEL 1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | US | Capitol Records ST-12382First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Zambia | Capitol Records TOL(L) 7123821First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Capitol Records ST-12382First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of Read My Lips are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Barbados, Brazil and more. One of them is Capitol Records ST-12382, released March 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-12382, EJ 2402891, 31C 064 240289, 1C 064-24 0289 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-12382-Z2 STERLING JS STERLING 0 and ST-2-12382 Z1 #1 0 STERLING JS STERLING [crossed out / illegible]. 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.
