Vinyl pressings
by Nine Below Zero · 1981
Don't Point Your Finger was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 9 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.
19-68521-1A-1 ARunout side A, var 1
19-68521-1B-1 ARunout side B, var 1
19-68521-2A-1 H. ARunout side A, var 2, stamped; H. etched
19-68521-2B-1 A X.Runout side B, var 2, stamped; X. etched
AMLH 68521 A3 B M̶M̶9̶ · A̶-̶1̶ tone :PY:Runout side A
AMLH 68521 B3 A M̶M̶9̶ · B̶-̶1̶ :PY: toneRunout side B
AMLH 68521-ALabel side A
AMLH 68521-BLabel side B
AMLH 68521 A2 1 2 1 ◊Side A, etched / stamped
AMLH 68521 B3 1 1 1Side B, etched / stamped
AMLH 68521 A2 ◊ ◊ DSide A, etched
AMLH 68521 B3 "M M-9-B1" scratched out :PYE: D tOneSide B, etched/stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | A&M Records L 37573First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4859First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | A&M Records AMLH 68521First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Israel | A&M Records AMLH 68521First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Netherlands | A&M Records AMLH 68521First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | A&M Records AMLH 68521First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 68521First yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 68521First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 68521First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 68521First yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 68521First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | UK & Europe | A&M Records AMLH 68521First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-4859First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of Don't Point Your Finger are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Netherlands, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records AMLH 68521.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMLH 68521, SP-4859, L 37573) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 19-68521-1A-1 A and 19-68521-1B-1 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.
