Vinyl pressings
by Mike Post · 1981
The Theme From Hill Street Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 11 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.
K + 12576 + A W - 46 STRAWBERRYVariant 1: Runout, A-side, etched/stamped
K + 12576 + B W - 77 STRAWBERRYVariant 1: Runout, B-side, etched/stamped
K + 12576 + A W - 34 STRAWBERRYVariant 2: Runout, A-side, etched/stamped
K + 12576 + A W - 59 KD STRAWBERRYVariant 2: Runout, B-side, etched/stamped
K12576T-A-2 STRAWBERRY M W2KDRunout, stamped/etched, side A
K12576T-B-2 STRAWBERRY FI M W5Runout, stamped/etched, side B
ES-47186-A1-SP 1-1 TML-M SRCRunout side A, variant 1
ES-47186-B-SP 1-1 SRC TML-XRunout side B, variant 1
ES-47186-A1-SP 1-1 TML-M SRCRunout side A, variant 2
ES-47186-B1-SP 1-5 TML-M SRCRunout side B, variant 2
ES-47186-A2-AR TML-X R-7829-A2 JPRunout side A
ES-47186-B2-AR TML-X R-7829-B2 JPRunout side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Elektra E 47186First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra E-47186First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra E-47186First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra E-47186First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Europe | Elektra ELK 12 576First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Guatemala | Elektra E-47186First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | Elektra K 12576First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | Elektra K 12576First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Elektra K 12576First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Japan | Elektra P-1578EFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Elektra ELK 12 576 / Elektra 12 576First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Elektra E 47 186First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Portugal | Elektra ELE 12576First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Elektra K 12576 / Elektra E-47186First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Elektra K 12576 TFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Elektra P-1578E7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | Elektra K12576P7", 45 RPM, Shape, Single, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Shape, Single, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| ? | UK | Elektra K12576 / Elektra K 125767", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Elektra K 12576 / Elektra E-471867", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
25 vinyl pressings of The Theme From Hill Street Blues are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Elektra K 12576.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K 12576, K 12576 T, E-47186, E-47186-A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K + 12576 + A W - 46 STRAWBERRY and K + 12576 + B W - 77 STRAWBERRY. 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.
