Vinyl pressings
by Prism · 1979
Armageddon was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 9 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.
9242-2001-A Q STERLINGVariant 1: runout, side A
9242-2001-BX Q STERLINGVariant 1: runout, side B
9242-2001-AX Q STERLINGVariant 2: runout, side A
9242-2001-BX Q STERLINGVariant 2: runout, side B
ST 6466-A 2 in a circle TLC-ARunout Etched Side 1
ST 6466-B 2 in a circle TLC-ARunout Etched Side 2
ST 6466-A 2 (Capitol Bullseye) TLC-ARunout Etched Side 1 Variant 2
ST 6466-B TLC-A (Capitol Bullseye)Runout Etched Side 2 Variant 2
9242-2001-A TLC ARunout, Side A, hand-etched & stamped
9242-2001-B TLC ARunout, Side B, hand-etched & stamped
ᴘ SW-50063-A ⑤ 7Side A, variant 1
ᴘ SW-50063-B ⑥ 7 ASide B, variant 1, A stamped
SW-50063-A ⑥ > 1 PSide A, variant 2
SW-50063-B ③ > 1 PSide B, variant 2
ST-1-12051 G2 #2Etched (Side 1)
ST-2-12051 G2Etched (Side 2)
MASTERED BY CAPITOL EdStamped (Ed etched) on both sides
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | Ariola sup 80044First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Magnum Records 9242-2001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-6466First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-512051LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1979 | Canada | Magnum Records 9242-2001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 064-86 107First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Ariola 200 908First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Ariola GP 774 / Ariola GP-774First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Ariola GP 774 / Ariola GP-774First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Mexico | Ariola LA-169First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Ariola 200 908 / Ariola Records America 200.908First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Capitol Records E-ST-12051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Ariola Records America SW 50063 / Ariola Records America SW-50063First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Capitol Records ST-12051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Ariola Records America SW 50063First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-6466 / Capitol Records ST 6466LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Central America | Ariola ALP-40LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records SN - 16266LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SN-16266LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
25 vinyl pressings of Armageddon are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Canada, UK, US, Argentina and more. One of them is Magnum Records 9242-2001.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9242-2001, ST-6466, E-ST-12051, SW 50063) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 9242-2001-A Q STERLING and 9242-2001-BX Q STERLING. 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.
