Vinyl pressings
by Patti Smith · 1988
People Have The Power was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 13 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.
AD1- ̷0̷6̷8̷8̷ 9688-SA-SP-DMM MASTERDISK DMM SP1-5Side A etched
AD1-9688-SB-SP-DMM MASTERDISK DMM SP1-2Side B etched
AD1-9688-SASide A label
AD1-9688-SBSide B label
AS1-9689-SAA label
AS1-9689-SBB label
AS1-9689-SAL-4 SP4 MASTERDISK DMM SP1-1
AS1-9689-SB-4 SP4 MASTERDISK DMM SP1-1
AS1-9689-SASLabel A
AS1-9689-SALLabel B
AS1-9689-SAS-SP4 MASTERDISK DMM SPI-1ROG A
AS1-9689-SAL-SP4 MASTERDISK DMM SPI-5ROG B
.609-977 - A1. Λ Ʊtopia.MS.Runout side A
.609-877 - B1. C Ʊtopia.MS.Runout side B
609 877 ALabel side A
609 877 BLabel side B
109-877-A1 [Lyre symbol]TOPIA MS. ΛSide A runout
109-877-B-1 [Lyre symbol]TOPIA MS. C ΛSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | Arista 104889First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Australia | Arista TDS 464First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | Arista AS1-9689First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1988 | Europe | Arista 109 877First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | France | Arista 109 877 / Arista 109877First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Germany | Arista 609 877First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Germany | Arista 109 877First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | Arista 4607First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1988 | Japan | Arista 609 877First year12" | 12" |
| 1988 | Mexico | Arista RX-577First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Portugal | Arista 109877First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | South Africa | Arista AAJ 153First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1988 | Spain | Arista 609 877First year12" | 12" |
| 1988 | Spain | Arista 109877First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Spain | Arista 1A 109877First year7", Single | 7", Single |
23 vinyl pressings of People Have The Power are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Arista AD1-9688.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AD1-9688, AS1-9689, 609 877, 109 877) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AD1- ̷0̷6̷8̷8̷ 9688-SA-SP-DMM MASTERDISK DMM SP1-5 and AD1-9688-SB-SP-DMM MASTERDISK DMM SP1-2. 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.
