Vinyl pressings
by Robert Palmer · 1980
Clues was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
33 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 20 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.
ILPS 1 9595 RE1 JW1 #6 TJ 0 STERLINGRunout A, variant 1
ILPS 2 9595 RE1 JW2 #1 TJ 0 STERLINGRunout B, variant 1
ILPS 1 9595 RE1 JW1 #8 0 STERLING TJRunout A, variant 2
ILPS 2 9595 RE1 JW2 #1 0 STERLING TJRunout B, variant 2
ILPS 1 9595 REI LW2 1 ✲✲ STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
ILPS 2 9595 REI LW1 1 ✲✲ STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
ILPS 1 9595 RE1 LW2 ⥛ ✲✲ STERLING TJRunout etched side A with STERLING stamp, variant 2
ILPS 2 9595 RE1 LW2 • ⥛ ✲✲ STERLING TJRunout etched side B with STERLING stamp, variant 2
ILPS 1 9595 RE1 WW1 #2 ─◁ STERLINGSide A runout
ILPS 1 9595 RE1 WW2 ─◁ STERLINGSide B runout
ILPS 1 9595 RE1 WW2̶ 1 #4 · ─◁ STERLING TJSide A runout version 1
ILPS 2 9595 RE1 WW2 #3 · ─◁ STERLINGSide B runout version 1
ILPS 1 9595 RE1 WW2̶ 1 · ─◁ STERLING TJSide A runout version 2
ILPS 2 9595 RE1 WW1 · ─◁ STERLING TJSide B runout version 2
ILPS 9595 A-2UA-Side run-out, stamped
ILPS 9595 B-2UB-Side run-out, stamped
ILPS 1 9595 RE1 #A-Side run-out, hand-etched [#=scratch-out]
ILPS 2 9595 RE1 #B-Side run-out, hand-etched [#=scratch-out]
ILPS 9595 A-2USide A runout, variant 1
ILPS 9595 B-2USide B runout, variant 1
ILPS 9595 A-2U STERLING ILPS 1 9595 RE1Side A runout, stamped [ILPS 1 9595 RE1] etched, variant 2
ILPS 9595 B-2U STERLING ILPS 2 9595 RE1Side B runout, stamped [ILPS 2 9595 RE1] etched, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | Island Records 2507-SUP-80.117First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Island Records L-37,393First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | Island Records 202 592First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | Island Records ILPS 9595First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Island Records XILP 9595First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Island Records 6313 083First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Island Records 202 592-320 / Island Records 202 592First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Island Records 202 592-320 / Island Records 202 592First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | Island Records 14C 062-64026First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Israel | Island Records ILPS 9595First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19595First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Island Records ILS-81357First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Island Records 202.592 / Island Records 202 592-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Island Records 202.592First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Island Records 202.592 / Island Records 202 592-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Island Records XILP 9595LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Island Records 202 592-320 / Island Records 202 592LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Island Records ORL 19595LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Island Records 202.592 / Island Records 202 592-320LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Island Records 202 592-320 / Island Records 202.592LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Spain | Island Records H 202592 / Island Records I-202 592LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPM 9595LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9595LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
56 vinyl pressings of Clues are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1980 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9595.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9595, 2507-SUP-80.117, L-37,393, 202 592) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 1 9595 RE1 JW1 #6 TJ 0 STERLING and ILPS 2 9595 RE1 JW2 #1 TJ 0 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.
