Vinyl pressings
by Player · 1982
Spies Of Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 11 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.
AFL-1-4186-A 2S I A2 TML-M KSide A runout, etched except "I A2 TML-M" stamped, variant 1
AFL-1-4186-B-1S I A1 TML-X WSide B runout, etched except "I A1" stamped, variant 1
AFL-1-4186-A 2S TML-M I A1 ISide A runout, etched except "TML-M I A1" stamped, variant 2
AFL-1-4186-B-1S TML-X I A1 DSide B runout, etched except "I A1" stamped
RCA PL-14186-A PFRunout, side A
RCA PL-14186-B PFRunout, side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | RCA Victor APL1 4186First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Brazil | RCA 104.4164First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Canada | RCA AFL1 4186First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | RCA PL 14186First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Israel | RCA AFLI 4186First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | RCA RPL-8128First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | Japan | RCA RPL-8128First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | New Zealand | RCA AFL1 4186First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | South Africa | RCA Victor TRC 3157First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Spain | RCA Victor PL-14186First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | RCA Victor AFLI 4186 / RCA Victor AFL1-4186First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | South Korea | Jigu Records JRPL-3310First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Spies Of Life are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, South Korea, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is RCA Victor AFLI 4186.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AFLI 4186, JRPL-3310, APL1 4186, 104.4164) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AFL-1-4186-A 2S I A2 TML-M K and AFL-1-4186-B-1S I A1 TML-X W. 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.
