Vinyl pressings
by Paul Young · 1985
The Secret Of Association 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.
44 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 27 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.
CBS 26234 A5Runout, side A, variant 1
CBS 26234 B3 5 0 ∴Runout, side B, variant 1
CBS . 26234-A4 ⋀Runout, side A, etched [⋀ stamped], variant 2
CBS . 26234-B7 2 7 ⋀Runout, side B, etched [2 7 ⋀ stamped], variant 2
CBS 26234-A3 timtomSide A runout, stamped/etched, variant 1
CBS-26234-B3 TYSide B runout, stamped/etched, variant 1
CBS 26234-A3 timtomSide A runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
CBS-26234-B4 TY ⋀Side B runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
CBS-26234-A4 timtom ⋀Side A runout, stamped/etched, variant 1
CBS-26234-B-7 ⋀Side B runout, stamped/etched, variant 1
CBS. 26234 A6 C ⋀ timtomSide A runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
CBS.26234.B.3 DSide B runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
o P•AP AL 39957-1E SUERunout A, variant 1
P- AP BL 39957-1B SUERunout B, variant 1
AL 39957-1F B P-? ᴏRunout A, variant 2
BL 39957-1E SUE P-? ᴏRunout B, variant 2
P(2) o AL 39957-1GEtched side A, except o stamped, variant 1
P + ? o BL 39957-1E SUEEtched side B, except o stamped, variant 1
P-? o AL 39957-1FEtched side A, except o stamped, variant 2
P-? o BL 39957-1E SUEEtched side B, except o stamped, variant 2
AL 39957-1C G1 E8 SUERunout side A, variant 1
BL 39957-1C G1 D1 SUERunout side B, variant 1
AL 39957-1D G1 SUE B12Runout side A, variant 2
BL 39957-1D D G1 SUE B1Runout side B, 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 | Argentina | Columbia 20.652 / CBS 20.652First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Australia | CBS SBP 8032First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Australia | CBS SBP 8032First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Brazil | Epic 144851 / Epic 144.851First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Colombia | CBS 141847First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Costa Rica | CBS 1100905First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS 26234 / CBS CBS 26234First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 26234First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 26234 / CBS 26234First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS 465577 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony CYA 1032First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | India | CBS CBS 10166First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Ireland | CBS CBS 26234First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Israel | CBS CBS 26234First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Epic 30.3P-715First yearLP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2536LP, Album, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia VFC 39957 / Columbia 39957LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia BFC 39957LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
49 vinyl pressings of The Secret Of Association are listed here, from 28 countries, released between 1985 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is CBS CBS 26234.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CBS 26234, BFC 39957, FC 39957, 28·3P-600) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CBS 26234 A5 and CBS 26234 B3 5 0 ∴. 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.
