Vinyl pressings
by R.E.M. · 1983
Radio Free Europe was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 4 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.
⚾ P A&MIR09916-A·P2 STERLINGSide A runout, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp), variant 1
⚾ P A&MIR09916-B-P2 STERLINGSide B runout, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp), variant 1
⚾ P A&MIR09916-A·P2 STERLINGSide A runout, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp), variant 2
⚾ P A&MIR09916-B-P1 STERLINGSide B runout, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp), variant 2
A&MIR09916.A.M1 MR △ 109255Runout side A, etched
STERLING MR △109255X A&MIR09916-B-M1Runout side B, etched
G I A&MIR 09916A.L-C1Side A runout
STERLING G I A&MIR 09916-B-C1Side B runout
IR-09916-A-LSide A label
IR-09916-BSide B label
⚾ A&MIR09916.A.L.RCA1 STERLING A1Side A runout, etched / stamped, variant 1
⚾ A&MIR09916.B-RCA1 STERLING A1Side B runout, etched / stamped, variant 1
⚾ A&MIR09916.A.L.RCA1 1 STERLING A1Side A runout, etched / stamped, variant 2
A&MIR09916.B-RCA1 1 A1 STERLINGSide B runout, etched / stamped, variant 2
sterling (pressed) P A&MIR09916-A·P1 (Hand Etched)Side A
sterling (pressed) ⚾ P A&MIR09916-B-P2 (Hand Etched)Side B
⚾ G A&MIR09916-A·C4Side A, etched
⚾ G A&MIR09916-A·C1Side B, etched
STERLINGBoth sides, stamped
⚾ o 1G A&MIR09916-A·C4 A4Side A, etched 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Illegal Records ES 875First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Europe | Illegal Records ILSA 3567 / Illegal Records A-3567First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | I.R.S. Records PFP 1017First year7", Promo, 45 RPM, Single · Promo | 7", Promo, 45 RPM, Single · Promo |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records IR-9916 / I.R.S. Records IR9916First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records IR-9916 / I.R.S. Records IR-9916First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records IR-9916 / I.R.S. Records IR9916First year7" | 7" |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records IR-9916First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records IR-9916First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records IR-9916 / I.R.S. Records IR9916First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records IR-9916 / I.R.S. Records IR-9916First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records IR-9916First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records IR-9916 / I.R.S. Records IR9916First year7", Single, Styrene | 7", Single, Styrene |
| 1983 | UK | I.R.S. Records PFP 1017First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | Illegal Records ES 875First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
14 vinyl pressings of Radio Free Europe are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Australia, Europe. One of them is I.R.S. Records IR-9916, released April 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IR-9916, PFP 1017, ES 875, ILSA 3567) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ⚾ P A&MIR09916-A·P2 STERLING and ⚾ P A&MIR09916-B-P2 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.
