Vinyl pressings
by Robert Gordon · 1979
It's Only Make Believe was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 12 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.
RCA· PB · 1471 · A PF· Manufactured in GermanyRunout A, etched / stamped
RCA· PB · 1471 · B PF· Manufactured in GermanyRunout B, etched / stamped
PB 1471-ALabel A
PB 1471-BLabel B
PB-11471-ALabel A
PB-11471-BLabel B
PB-11471-A STERLING GCRunout A
PB-11471-B STERLING GCRunout B
PB-11471-ALabel A
PB-11471-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | RCA Victor 103377First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | RCA PB-11471First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | RCA PB 1471 / Rca Victor PB 1471First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | RCA Victor PB 1471 / RCA PB 1471First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | RCA PB 1471 / RCA Victor PB 1471First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | RCA PB 1471 / RCA Victor PB 1471First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | RCA SS-3202First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Rca Victor PB 1471First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | South Africa | RCA Victor 42-912First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Spain | RCA Victor PB-1471 / RCA PB-1471First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Spain | RCA Victor PB-1471First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | UK | RCA Victor PB 1471First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | UK | RCA PB 1471First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | RCA PB-11471First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | US | RCA PB-11471First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
18 vinyl pressings of It's Only Make Believe are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Germany, UK, US, Portugal and more. One of them is RCA Victor PB 1471.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PB 1471, PB-11471, JH-11471, PB-1471) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RCA· PB · 1471 · A PF· Manufactured in Germany and RCA· PB · 1471 · B PF· Manufactured in Germany. 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.
