Vinyl pressings
by Pointer Sisters · 1985
Freedom 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.
13 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
PB-14224-A-1S Precision SM I A2Runout A etched (I A2 stamps)
P̶B̶ ̶-̶ ̶1̶4̶1̶4̶7̶ ̶-̶ ̶B̶-̶ ̶1̶0̶ ̶S̶ PB14224B -10S Precision SM I A3Runout B etched (I A3 stamps)
PB-14224-A-5S Precision SMSide A Runout, etched
PB- ̶1̶4̶1̶9̶7̶-B-15S 14224-B Precision SMSide B Runout, etched
ELA- △ 110368 PB- 14224-A-3S Precision SMBoth runouts, etched
PB-14224-ALabels A & B
JD-14225-A-3 Precision SM [I AI]Runout, side A, etched / [stamped]
JD-14225-B-1S Precision SM [I AI]Runout, side B, etched / [stamped]
JD-14225-ALabel side A
JD-14225-BLabel side B
PB-49913-A1 ΛRunout (Etched) Side A
PB-49913-B2Runout (Etched) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | RCA Victor 104485First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | RCA PB-14224First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Germany | RCA PT49914First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | RCA PB49913First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | New Zealand | RCA 104485First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | RCA PT 49914First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | RCA PT 49914First year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1985 | US | RCA 14225-1-RDFirst year12" | 12" |
| 1985 | US | RCA JD-14225First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | RCA PB-14224First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1985 | US | RCA JK-14224First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | RCA PB-14224First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | RCA PB 49913First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Freedom are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is RCA PB-14224, released October 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PB-14224, 14225-1-RD, JK-14224, JD-14225) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PB-14224-A-1S Precision SM I A2 and P̶B̶ ̶-̶ ̶1̶4̶1̶4̶7̶ ̶-̶ ̶B̶-̶ ̶1̶0̶ ̶S̶ PB14224B -10S Precision SM I A3. 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.
