Vinyl pressings
by Phil Lynott · 1980
Yellow Pearl was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, the album's first year, in 6 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.
SOLO 3 A // 2 ▽E 420 RC 1Runout side A, variant 1
SOLO 3 P̶E̶A̶R̶L̶ ̶A̶ B// 3 ▽ETH TOWN HOUSERunout side B, variant 1
SOLO 3 A // 2 ▽E 420 1 2 2 0 RCRunout side A, variant 2
SOLO 3 P̶E̶A̶R̶L̶ ̶A̶ B// 3 ▽ETH TOWN HOUSE 1 3 1 1Runout side B, variant 2
SOLO 312 A1 TOWN HOUSE DAMONTside A
SOLO 312 B1 TOWN HOUSE DAMONTside B
SOLO3 A-2 DAMONT TOWN HOUSE P̷E̷A̷R̷L̷A-side run-out, hand-etched/stamped
SOLO3 B-2 DAMONT TOWN HOUSE P̷E̷A̷R̷L̷B-side run-out, hand-etched/stamped
SOLO 3 A//2 ▽E 420 RC 1A-side runout
SOLO 3 P̶E̶A̶R̶L̶ ̶A̶ B//3 ▽ETH TOWN HOUSEB-side runout
SOLO 3 A//2▽E 420 RC 1A-side runout, variant 1
SOLO 3 B//3▽ETH TOWN HOUSE ̶P̶E̶A̶R̶L̶ ̶A̶B-side runout, variant 1
SOLO 3 A//2▽E 420 1 2 2 2 RCA-side runout, variant 2
SOLO 3 ̶P̶E̶A̶R̶L̶ ̶A̶ B//3▽ETH TOWN HOUSE 1 5 0 1B-side runout, variant 2
SOLO 3 A//2 ▽E 420 RC 1A-side runout
SOLO 3 P̶E̶A̶R̶L̶ ̶A̶ B//3 ▽ETH TOWN HOUSEB-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Vertigo 6059 356First year45 RPM, 7" | 45 RPM, 7" |
| 1980 | France | Vertigo 6059 401First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | Vertigo 6059 402First year12", Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Vertigo 6059 401First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Ireland | Vertigo Solo 3First year45 RPM, 7", Single | 45 RPM, 7", Single |
| 1980 | Ireland | Phonogram SOLO 3First year7" | 7" |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6059 401First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | UK | Phonogram SOLO 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Phonogram SOLO 312First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | UK | Phonogram SOLO 3First year7", Single · Colored vinyl | 7", Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | UK | Phonogram SOLO 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Phonogram SOLO 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Phonogram SOLO 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Phonogram SOLO 3First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | UK | Phonogram SOLO 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
17 vinyl pressings of Yellow Pearl are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1980 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is Phonogram SOLO 3.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SOLO 3, SOLO 312, 6059 356, 6059 401) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SOLO 3 A // 2 ▽E 420 RC 1 and SOLO 3 P̶E̶A̶R̶L̶ ̶A̶ B// 3 ▽ETH TOWN HOUSE. 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.
