Vinyl pressings
by Pointer Sisters · 1985
Contact 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.
19 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 15 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.
AJL1-5487-A-12S Precision SMSide A Etched, variant 1
I B2Side A Stamped, variant 1
AJL1-5487-B-12S Precsion SM ESide B Etched, variant 1
I A4Side B Stamped, variant 1
AJL1 5487 ASide A runout
AJL1 5487 BSide B runout
AJL1-5487 B G. [CR]Runout side A, variant 1
AJL1-5487 A G. [CR]Runout side B, variant 1
AJL1-5487 A G. [CR]Runout side A, variant 2
AJL1-5487 B② G. [CR]Runout 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 | Brazil | RCA Victor 104.4204First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Ecuador | RCA Victor 923-1055First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | RCA PL85487First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | RCA PL85487First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | RCA RCLP 20345 / RCA PL 85487First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | India | RCA Victor AJL1-5487 / RCA AJL1-5487First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | RCA PL 85487First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Italy | RCA PL 85487First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Italy | RCA PL 85487First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Mexico | RCA Victor MILS●4710 / RCA Victor MILS - 4710First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Portugal | RCA PL 14587First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Spain | RCA Victor PL-85487First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Spain | RCA Victor PL-85487First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Venezuela | RCA Victor 103-01933First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Australia | Starcall Victor SFL1-0123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
23 vinyl pressings of Contact are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Australia, Canada, South Africa and more. One of them is RCA Victor AJL1-5487, released September 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AJL1-5487, SFL1-0123, ML 4814, JRPL-3372) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AJL1-5487-A-12S Precision SM and I B2. 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.
