Vinyl pressings
by Nazareth · 1985
The Ballad Album 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.
7 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 5 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.
824 395-1 1Y 3 20 CSide A runout, variant 1
824 395-1 2Y 3 20 ASide B runout, variant 1
824 395-1 1Y 3 20 P ISide A runout, variant 2
824 395-1 2Y 3 20 > ISide B runout, variant 2
824 395-1 1Y 1121 3 20 3 1ASide A runout
824 395-1 2Y 1119 3 20 3Side B runout
AA 824 395-1.1 YSide A label
AA 824 395-1.2 YSide B label
824 395-11Y 11 18 3 20 1ΛRunout, side A, stamped, variant 1
824 395-1 2Y 1 118 3 20 3Runout, side B, stamped, variant 1
824 395-11Y 11 10 3 20 3 1ARunout, side A, stamped, variant 2
824 395-1 2Y 11 17 3 20 2 1Runout, side B, stamped, variant 2
824 395-1 1Y 11 3 3 20 1Λ 3Runout, side A, stamped, variant 1
824 395-1 2Y 119 3 20 1 3Runout, side B, stamped, variant 1
824 395-1 1Y 1116 3 20 1Λ 3Runout, side A, stamped, variant 2
824 395-1 2Y 1116 3 20 1 3Runout, side B, stamped, variant 2
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 | Brazil | Vertigo 824 395-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Europe | Vertigo 824 395-1 Q / Vertigo 824 391-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Europe | Vertigo 824 395-1 Q / Vertigo 824 391-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Germany | Vertigo 824 395-1 Q / Vertigo 824 395-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Vertigo 824 395-1 Q / Vertigo 824 395-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | Vertigo 824 395-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Greece | Vertigo 824 395-1LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Philippines | Vertigo 824 395-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1986 | South Korea | Vertigo SEL-RP 726LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1989 | Brazil | Vertigo 824 395-1LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of The Ballad Album are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1985 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Germany, Brazil, Europe, Greece and more. One of them is Vertigo 824 395-1 Q.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 824 395-1 Q, 824 395-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 824 395-1 1Y 3 20 C and 824 395-1 2Y 3 20 A. 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.
