Vinyl pressings
by Millie Jackson · 1982
Hard Times was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 6 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.
A-3 <—> SP-1-6737-AS. HRM STERLINGRunout A variant 1
A-4 <—> SP-1-6737-BS. HRM STERLINGRunout B variant 1
A-1 <—> SP-1-6737-AS. HRM STERLINGRunout A variant 2
A-1 <—> SP-1-6737-BS. HRM STERLINGRunout B variant 2
SP-1-6737-AS-PRC-C1-1-1 -1S- STERLINGRunout A side
SP-1-6737-BS-PRC-C1-1-1 STERLING -01-Runout B side
SP-1-6737-ASLabel A side
SP-1-6737-BSLabel B side
SP-1-6737-AS-PRC-R4-2-1-8Runout Side A, Etched, Variant 1
SP-1-6737-BS-PRC-R1 2-2-1-6Runout Side B, Etched, Variant 1
STERLINGRunout Side A & B, Stamped, Variant 2
2391555A//1▽1420 W 1 2Runout, side A, stamped
2391555B//1▽1420 W 1 1 1Runout, side B, stamped
2391 555 ALabel side A
2391 555 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | France | Polydor 2391 555First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | Polydor 2391 555 / Spring Records 2391 555First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | South Africa | Polydor POLY 5602First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | UK | Spring Records 2391 555 / Polydor 2391 555First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Spring Records SP-1-6737 / Spring Records 2391 555First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Spring Records SP-1-6737 / Spring Records 2391 555First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Spring Records SP-1 6737First yearLP, Special Edition | LP, Special Edition |
| 1982 | US | Spring Records SP-1-6737 / Spring Records 2391 555First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Spring Records SP-1-6737LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Zimbabwe | Polydor POLY 5602 / Spring Records POLY 5602First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Brazil | Polydor 2391555LP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of Hard Times are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1982 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, France, Germany and more. One of them is Spring Records SP-1-6737.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-1-6737, SP-1 6737, 2391 555, POLY 5602) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A-3 <—> SP-1-6737-AS. HRM STERLING and A-4 <—> SP-1-6737-BS. HRM 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.
