Vinyl pressings
by Nils Lofgren · 1985
Flip 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.
15 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
TOWLP 11 A-1U-1-1-x1 JASide A runout variant 1
TOWLP 11 B-2U-1-2-x1Side B runout variant 1
TOWLP 11 A-3U-1 -1-x1 JASide A runout variant 2
TOWLP 11 B-2U-1- 1- 1Side B runout variant 2
0 AL39982-1B STERLING ⚾ P-APSide A runout, variant 1
0 BL39982-1B P-AP STERLING ⚾Side B runout, variant 1
0 AL39982-1A STERLING ⚾ P-APSide A runout, variant 2
0 BL39982-1B P-AP STERLING ⚾Side B runout, variant 2
AL39982-1C (AP) C G1 A5 STERLINGSide A, runout
BL39982-1C (AP) C G1 A8 STERLING ⓍSide B, runout
AL 39982Side A, label
BL 39982Side B, label
0 AL39982-1A (L) P-APSide A, runout
0 BL 39982-1B P-AP STERLING (L)Side B, runout
AL 39982Side A, label
BL 39982Side B, label
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 | Canada | Columbia FC 39982First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Ariola 207 041 / Ariola 207 041-620First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | France | Towerbell Records 540121 / Vogue 540121First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Ariola 42 700 5LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1985 | Italy | Towerbell Records TOWLP11First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | CBS/Sony 28AP 3048First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Towerbell Records TOW LP 11First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Portugal | Towerbell Records TOW LP II.45First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Scandinavia | Alpha Records RDC LP 001 / Alpha Records RDCLP 001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | South Africa | Transistor Music CBK(V) 7037LP, Album, Remastered | LP, Album, Remastered |
| 1985 | UK | Towerbell Records TOWLP 11 / Towerbell Records TOW LP 11First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | Towerbell Records TOW LP 11First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1985 | US | Columbia BFC 39982First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Columbia BFC 39982First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Columbia BFC 39982First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
17 vinyl pressings of Flip are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Towerbell Records TOWLP 11.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TOWLP 11, TOW LP 11, BFC 39982, LIB5051) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TOWLP 11 A-1U-1-1-x1 JA and TOWLP 11 B-2U-1-2-x1. 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.
