Vinyl pressings
by Rick James · 1985
Glow 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.
16 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 10 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.
520 (mirrored) 6I35-A-15B ZEA#12 ✡︎ STERLINGSide A runout, etched, stamped
520 (mirrored) 6I35-B-15B ZEA#12 STERLINGSide B runout, etched, stamped
6135GLASide A label
6135GLBSide B label
6135-GL-A-15B ZEA ✩ STERLING -Runout A side
6135-GL-B-15B ZEA STERLINGRunout B side
STERLINGStamped A & B sides
6135GLALabel A side
6135-GL-A-15B ZEA ✩ STERLING -Runout A side
6135-GL-B-15B ZEA STERLINGRunout B side
STERLINGStamped A & B sides
6135GLALabel A side
6I35-GL-A-15B ZEA#13 FQAY ✡︎ STERLINGSide A runout, etched, stamped
6I35-GL-B-15B ZEA#13 FQAY STERLINGSide B runout, etched, stamped
6135GLASide A label
6135GLBSide B label
6135GLASide A label
6135GLBSide B label
6I35-GL-A-15B ZEA#12 ✡︎ STERLING J00A side
6I35-GL-B-15B ZEA#12 STERLING J00B side
6135-GL-A-53 ZEA STERLINGSide A runout, etched, stamped:
6135-GL-B-15B ZEA ✡︎ STERLINGSide B runout, etched, stamped:
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 | Argentina | Motown 6135 GLA / Motown TLP 60178First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | Gordy 6135 GLFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Brazil | Motown 104.8328 / Gordy 104.8328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Gordy G 6135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Italy | Motown TMLP 6080 / Gordy TMLP 6080First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Motown VIL-6189First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Motown VIL-6189First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Philippines | Motown MLP-2828 / Gordy 6135GLFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | South Africa | Motown TMC 5485First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK & Europe | Gordy ZL 72362 / RCA ZL72362First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Gordy 6135 GL / Gordy 6135GLFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Gordy 6135 GL / Gordy 6135GLFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Gordy 6135GLLP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | US | Gordy 6135 GL / Gordy 6135GLFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Gordy 6135 GL / Gordy 6135GLFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
18 vinyl pressings of Glow are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Gordy 6135 GL.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6135 GL, 104.8328, G 6135, TMLP 6080) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 520 (mirrored) 6I35-A-15B ZEA#12 ✡︎ STERLING and 520 (mirrored) 6I35-B-15B ZEA#12 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.
