Vinyl pressings
by Richard Thompson · 1985
Across A Crowded Room was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
⊳ A- 422- 825- 421 1AS HRM POLD 5175 A/3Side A Runout (Etched) Variation 1
STERLINGSide A Runout (Stamped) Variation 1
⊳ 422- 825- 421 1BS HRM POLD 5175 B/3Side B Runout (Etched) Variation 1
A- 422- 825- 421 1AS HRM POLD 5175 A/3Side A Runout (Etched) Variation 2
422-825-421-1AS ALD STERLING SLM △8830 1-1 ɑ B-20697Runout Side A
422-825-421-1BS ALD STERLING SLM △8830-X 1-1 ɑ B-20698Runout Side B
422-825-421-1AS HRMVariant 1- Side A etched
422-825-421-1BS HRMVariant 1- Side B etched
422-825-421-1AS HRM A- ᐉVariant 2- Side A etched
422-825-421-1BS HRM A- ᐉVariant 2- Side B etched
A- ᐉ 422- 825- 421- 1AS HRM STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
A- ᐉ 422- 825- 421- 1BS HRMSide B runout, variant 1
A-2 ᐉ 422- 825- 421- 1AS HRM STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
A-1 ᐉ 422- 825- 421- 1BS HRMSide B runout, variant 2
825 421-1ASide A runout etched
825 421-1BSide B runout etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australasia | Polydor 825421-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Polydor PDS-1-6413First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | France | Polydor 825 421-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | Polydor 825 421-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Ireland | Polydor POLD 5175First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | Polydor POLD 5175 / Polydor 825421-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Polydor 825 421-1 Y-1 / Polydor 422-825 421-1 Y-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Polydor 825 421-1 Y-1 / Polydor 422-825 421-1 Y-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Polydor 825 421-1 Y-1 / Polydor 422-825 421-1 Y-1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | US | Polydor 825 421-1 Y-1 / Polydor 422-825 421-1 Y-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0497LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0497LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
12 vinyl pressings of Across A Crowded Room are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Australasia, Canada and more. One of them is Polydor POLD 5175.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLD 5175, 825 421-1 Y-1, 825421-1, PDS-1-6413) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ⊳ A- 422- 825- 421 1AS HRM POLD 5175 A/3 and 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.
