Vinyl pressings
by Prince · 1982
Let's Work 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.
16 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 7 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.
WBS 50002 W̶B̶S̶ ̶4̶9̶8̶9̶7̶ ZCA-1256-VI-S-LWI · ✲Side A runout
WBS 50002 W̶B̶S̶ ̶4̶9̶8̶9̶7̶ ZCA-1255-S-LWI · ✲Side B runout
ZCA 1256 VISSide A label
ZCA 1255SSide B label
W̶B̶S̶ ̶4̶9̶8̶9̶7̶ ZCA-1256-VI-S-JW1 WBS-50002 #1 0Side A runout, variant 1
W̶B̶S̶ ̶4̶9̶8̶9̶7̶ ZCA-1255-S JW1 WBS-50002 #1 0Side B runout, variant 1
W̶B̶S̶ ̶4̶9̶8̶9̶7̶ ZCA-1256-VI-S-JW1 #2 WBS-50002 0Side A runout, variant 2
W̶B̶S̶ ̶4̶9̶8̶9̶7̶ ZCA-1255-S JW1 WBS-50002 #1 0Side B runout, variant 2
50002 WBS- 4̶9̶8̶9̶7̶ ZCA-1256-VI-S-WWI ─◁Side A, runout
50002 WBS- 4̶9̶8̶9̶7̶ ZCA-1255-S-WWI ─◁Side B, runout
ZCA 1256 VISSide A, label
ZCA 1255SSide B, label
DWBS-50028-ZCA-1256-VI-S-AI + SLM + △ II7I [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-I6534-AIRunout side A
DWBS-50028-YMN-0027-S-AI + SLM + + △ II72 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-I6535-AIRunout side B
ZCA 1256 VII SLabel side A
YMN 0027 SLabel side B
DWBS-50028-ZCA-1256-VI-S-AI SP 0-I SMI-I + SLM + △ 1171 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-16534-AIRunout Side A, variant 1
DWBS-50028-YMN-0027-S-AI SP 0-I SMI-2 + SLM + △ 1172 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-16535-AIRunout Side B, variant 1
DWBS-50028-ZCA-1256-VI-S-AI SP 0-I SM2-I + SLM + △ 1171 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-16534-AIRunout Side A, variant 2
DWBS-50028-YMN-0027-S-AI SP 0-I SMI-4 + SLM + △ 1172 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-16535-AIRunout Side B, variant 2
DWBS-50028-ZCA-1256-VI-S-AI SP 0-I SMI-3 + SLM + △ 1171 [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] B-16534-AISide A runout
DWBS-50028-YMN-0027-S-SRI 1-I SRCSide B runout
ZCA 1256 VII SSide A label
YMN 0027 SSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records DWBS 50028First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records WB 26216First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 26216First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WBS 50002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records PRO-A-1004First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS50002First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records DWBS 50028First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records DWBS 50028First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS50002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS50002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS50002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 17 922First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 17 922First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records DWBS 50028First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 17922T / Warner Bros. Records K 17922 (T)First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Let's Work are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Germany, Netherlands and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WBS50002, released January 6, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBS50002, DWBS 50028, PRO-A-1004, K 17922T) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WBS 50002 W̶B̶S̶ ̶4̶9̶8̶9̶7̶ ZCA-1256-VI-S-LWI · ✲ and WBS 50002 W̶B̶S̶ ̶4̶9̶8̶9̶7̶ ZCA-1255-S-LWI · ✲. 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.
