Vinyl pressings
by Ray, Goodman & Brown · 1981
Stay was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
<-> PD-1-6341-AS-HRM STERLING B-2Side A etched (STERLING stamped)
<-> PD-1-6341-BS-HRM STERLING B-2Side B etched (STERLING stamped)
PD1 6341-AS-PW1 (PR) STERLINGA Side, Etched
PD1 6341-BS-[HRM scratched out] PW1 (PR) STERLINGB Side, Etched
STERLINGStamped, Both Sides
PD1 6341-AS-PRC1-1-1 STERLING -8-A Side, Etched Except STERLING
PD1 6341-(A Under B)BS-PRC-C-1 1 1 B -2- STERLINGB Side, Etched, Except STERLING
63590931 112 + 0Side A Stamped runout
63590932 111 +Side B Stamped runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australasia | Mercury 6359 093First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Jamaica | Philips 6359 093 / Philips PD-1-6341First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-44First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-44First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Mercury 6359 093First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | Mercury STAR 5240First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD-1-6341 / Polydor 2391 530First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD-1-6341First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD-1-6341LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD-1-6341First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Venezuela | Philips 40.292First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Brazil | Mercury 6359 093LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Stay are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Australasia, Jamaica, Japan and more. One of them is Polydor PD-1-6341.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD-1-6341, 6359 093, 25PP-44, STAR 5240) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, <-> PD-1-6341-AS-HRM STERLING B-2 and <-> PD-1-6341-BS-HRM STERLING B-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.
