Vinyl pressings
by Melissa Manchester · 1983
Emergency 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 10 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.
AL8-8094 SA-1Side A Runout, variant 1: etched
AL8-8094 SB-1Side B Runout, variant 1
AL8-8094 SA-1 STERLING A ☺ BSide A Runout, variant 2
AL8-8094 SB-1 STERLING -A 1 FSide B Runout, variant 2
SMX-61095 (side A)
SMX-61096
AL-8-8094A SNB 230 ELSide A
AL-8-8094B SNB 230 ELSide B
AL8-8094 SA
AL8-8094 SB
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 | Arista L-38060 (AL 8-8094)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Brazil | Arista 814 869-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista AL 8 8094First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista AL 8-8094LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | Greece | Arista 814869-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Hong Kong | Arista AL 8-8094First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Arista 25RS 203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Portugal | Arista 03.205753.33First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Arista ARI 90078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Arista AL 8-8094First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Venezuela | Arista ARISTA 7820First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | South Africa | Arista ASTC 149LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Emergency are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Arista AL 8-8094.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 8-8094, L-38060 (AL 8-8094), 814 869-1, AL 8 8094) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL8-8094 SA-1 and AL8-8094 SB-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.
