Vinyl pressings
by Pointer Sisters · 1980
Special Things 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.
19 pressings came out in 1980, 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.
P9-A-RE SP TML-M 1-5 [SRC logo]Side A runout, variant 1
P9-B-SP [SRC logo] TML-M 1-2Side B runout, variant 1
P9-A RE SP TML-M 1-3 [SRC logo]Side A runout, variant 2
P9-B-SP [SRC logo] TML-M 1-7Side B runout, variant 2
P9-A -1RE AR TML-S + SLM + △443 B- 15173 + RTRunout etched side A with TML-S and SLM stamps
P9-B -1 AR TML-S + SLM ++++ △443-X B- 15163 + RTRunout etched side B with TML-S and SLM stamps
P-9 ASide A label
P-9 BSide B label
P9-A-RESP [etched] TML-M [stamped] 1-5 [etched] SRC [Specialty logo]A side variant 1
P9-B-SP [etched] SRC [Specialty logo] TML-M [stamped] 1-5 [etched]B side variant 1
P9-A-RE SP [etched] TML-M [stamped] A-1 [etched] SRC [Specialty logo]A side variant 2
P9-B-SP [etched] SRC [Specialty logo] TML-M [stamped] 5 SM 1-1 [etched]B side variant 2
P9-A -1REAR TML-S + SLM ꔰꔰꔰ △443 B-15173Runout A
P9-B -1 AR TML-S + SLM ꔰꔰ △443-XRunout B
K 52242 A-1 W-7 STRAWBERRYSide A runout
K 52242 B-1 W-6 KD STRAWBERRYSide B runout
K 52242 A*Side A label
K 52242 B*Side B label
MX196477Label Side A
MX196478Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Planet P-9First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | Planet 32.068First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Planet XP-9 / Planet XP 9First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | Planet PL 52 242First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Planet PL 52 242First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | Planet 52242LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Greece | Planet 52242First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Planet W 52242First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Planet W 52242First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Planet P-10905QFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Planet PL 52 242First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Planet P-9First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | Planet EKC 6103First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Planet K52242 / Planet K 52242First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Planet P-9First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Planet AYL1-5088LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Planet P-9LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
23 vinyl pressings of Special Things are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1980 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Planet P-9, released August 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use P-9, K52242, 32.068, XP-9) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P9-A-RE SP TML-M 1-5 [SRC logo] and P9-B-SP [SRC logo] TML-M 1-2. 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.
