Vinyl pressings
by Mink DeVille · 1985
Sportin' Life 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.
14 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 12 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 A 855879 A SRC [logo] ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Side One etched; stamped, variant 1
ST A 855880 A SRC [logo] ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Side Two etched; stamped, variant 1
ST A 855879 A 1-3 SRC [logo] ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Side One etched; stamped, variant 2
ST A 855880 A 1-1 SRC [logo] ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Side Two etched; stamped, variant 2
ST A 855879 A 1-2SPAR SRC [logo] ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. B-22333-A △11242 0-Runout, side 1
ST A 855880 A 1-2SPAR B-22334-A SRC [logo] ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. △11242-X 0-Runout, side 2
ST-A-855879-ARLabel side 1
ST-A-855880-ARLabel side 2
825 776 - 1 S 1 320 D ASide A runout stamped, variant 1
825 776 - 1 S 2 320 4Side B runout stamped, variant 1
825 776 - 1 S 1 320 Z B̶ B 1Side A runout stamped, variant 2
825 776 - 1 S 2 320 1 A ASide B runout stamped, variant 2
SMX 64239 825776-1A P2ASide 1
SMX 64240 825776-1C P2ASide 2
CR PDS-1-6422A SnB 230 ELSide A runout
CR PDS-1-6422B SnB ELSide B runout
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 | Australia | Polydor 825 776-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Brazil | Polydor 825 776-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Polydor PDS 1 6422First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Polydor 825 776-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Polydor 825 776-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | Polydor 825776-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | Polydor 825 776-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0449First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Portugal | Polydor 825 776-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Spain | Polydor 825 776-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Atlantic 7 81623-1 / Atlantic 81623-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Atlantic 7 81623-1 / Atlantic 81623-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Polydor 825 776-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0449First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
14 vinyl pressings of Sportin' Life are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Germany, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Atlantic 7 81623-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7 81623-1, 825 776-1, PDS 1 6422, 825776-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST A 855879 A SRC [logo] ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. and ST A 855880 A SRC [logo] ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.. 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.
