Vinyl pressings
by Pigbag · 1983
Lend An Ear was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. 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 1983, the album's first year, in 10 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.
YLP-501-A-1 TOWNHOUSE DAMONT CSide A, runout var.1
YLP-501-B-1 TOWNHOUSE DAMONT ASide B, runout var.1
YLP-501-A-1 TOWNHOUSE DAMONT RSide A, runout var.2
YLP-501-B-1 TOWNHOUSE DAMONT RSide B, runout var.2
A SMX-60995
B SMX-60996
YLP501 A 3C1Runout side A, stamped
YLP501 B 3C1Runout side B, stamped
A-7746 A-1/83 S III Made in Germanyside A runout, stamped
A-7746 B-1/83 S III Made in Germanyside B runout, stamped
A-7746 Aside A label
A-7746 Bside 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Europe | Y Records Y LP 501 / Y Records YLP 501First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Y Records INT 146.621 / Y Records YLP 501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Y Records YLP 501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Y Records YAL-3First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Y Records YAL-3First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Y Records YLP 501First yearLP, Album, 7", Single, 45 RPM | LP, Album, 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Y Records L 38030 / Y Records X 14027First yearLP, Album, 12", 45 RPM | LP, Album, 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Y Records L 38030 / Y Records X 14027First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Y Records YLP 501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Africa | Reaction TTC 2001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Y Records YLP 501First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | Y Records YLP 501 / Y Records Y LP 501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia | Y Records L 38030 / Festival Records L 38030First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of Lend An Ear are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, Australia, Europe, Germany and more. One of them is Y Records YLP 501, released February 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use YLP 501, L 38030, Y LP 501, INT 146.621) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YLP-501-A-1 TOWNHOUSE DAMONT C and YLP-501-B-1 TOWNHOUSE DAMONT 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.
