Vinyl pressings
by Robert Fripp · 1985
Network 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.
8 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.
EGMLP 4 A // TOWNHOUSE A // 1▽420 H 1Runout, side A - variant 1
EGMLP 4 B // TOWNHOUSE B // 1▽420 H YYYYYY 11Runout, side B - variant 1
EGMLP 4 A II GL 4P 4 A // 1▽420 H 11 1 TOWNHOUSERunout, side A - variant 2
EGMLP 4 B II GL 4 B//1▽420 H YYYYYY 11 TOWNHOUSERunout, side B - variant 2
EGM LP-4-A HUB STERLINGSide A
EGM LP-4B HUB STERLINGSide B
825 848-1 ARunout, Side A
825 848-1 BRunout, Side B
825848-1 S1 320Side A
825848-1 S2 320Side B
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 | EG 825 848-1First year12", Mini-Album, Compilation | 12", Mini-Album, Compilation |
| 1985 | Germany | EG 825 848-1 / Polydor 825 848-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Compilation | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Compilation |
| 1985 | Greece | EG 825 848-1 / Polygram 825 848-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Compilation | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Compilation |
| 1985 | Portugal | EG 82 58481First year12", Mini-Album, Compilation | 12", Mini-Album, Compilation |
| 1985 | South Africa | EG POLY 3520 / Polydor POLY 3520First year12", Compilation | 12", Compilation |
| 1985 | UK | EG 825 848-1First year12", Compilation | 12", Compilation |
| 1985 | UK | EG EGMLP 4First year12", Mini-Album, Compilation, Stereo | 12", Mini-Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | EG EGMLP 4First year12", Mini-Album, Compilation | 12", Mini-Album, Compilation |
| 1985 | US | EG EGMLP 412", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | EG EGMLP 412", Mini-Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | 12", Mini-Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Network are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Australasia, Germany and more. One of them is EG EGMLP 4, released June 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EGMLP 4, 825 848-1, 82 58481, POLY 3520) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EGMLP 4 A // TOWNHOUSE A // 1▽420 H 1 and EGMLP 4 B // TOWNHOUSE B // 1▽420 H YYYYYY 11. 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.
