Vinyl pressings
by Millie Jackson · 1980
For Men Only was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 8 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.
SP-1-6727-AS-PRC-R-2 - 1 - 11 4 STERLINGSide A runout
SP-1-6727-BS-PRC-R-1 - 1 - 11 3 STERLINGSide B runout
SP-1-6727 AA label
SP-1-6727 BB label
SP-1-6727 AA label
SP-1-6727 BB label
SP-1-6727-AS-PRC-C-2-1 STERLING -01-Side A Variant 1, etch exc STERLING stamped
SP-1-6727-BS-PRC-C-1-11 PRCW STERLING -SC-Side B Variant 1, etch exc STERLING stamped
SP 1 6727 ASSide A Label Matrix
SP 1 6727 BSSide B Label Matrix
SP-1-6727 AS- CT B1 STERLING T1Side A Runout etched [B and STERLING stamped]
SP-1-6727 BS- CT1 B STERLING T1Side B Runout etched [B and STERLING stamped]
SP-1-6727 AA label
SP-1-6727 BB label
2391460 A//1▽E420 1 1Runout, Side A, Stamped
2391460 A//1▽E420 1 1Runout, Side B, Stamped
PPRunout, Side A, Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | France | Polydor 2391 460First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Polydor 2391 460First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Polydor MPF 1324First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Polydor MPF 1324 / Spring Records MPF 1324First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Polydor 2391 460First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Polydor 2391 460First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Polydor 2391 460First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2391 460First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | Polydor 2391 460First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Polydor 2391 460First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Spring Records SP-1-6727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Spring Records SP-1-6727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Spring Records SP-1-6727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Spring Records SP-1-6727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Spring Records SP-1-6727LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
16 vinyl pressings of For Men Only are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, France, Germany and more. One of them is Spring Records SP-1-6727, released June 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-1-6727, 2391 460, MPF 1324) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP-1-6727-AS-PRC-R-2 - 1 - 11 4 STERLING and SP-1-6727-BS-PRC-R-1 - 1 - 11 3 STERLING. 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.
