Vinyl pressings
by Robert Palmer · 1985
Riptide 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.
24 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 18 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 9801 A - 2U - 1 - 3 - 6 SOUND CLINICRunout, A-side, variant 1
ILPS 9801 B - 2U - 1 - 1 - 11 JONZRunout, B-side, variant 1
ILPS 9801 A - 1U - 1 - 1 SOUND CLINICRunout, A-side, variant 2
ILPS 9801 B - X1U-1- 1U - 1 - 1 J G JONZRunout, B-side, variant 2, -X1U-1 is partially scored out
ILPS 9801 A-2U-1-1-2 SOUND CLINICSide A Runout
ILPS 9801 B-2U-1-1-2 JONZSide B Runout
ILPS 9801-ALabel, A-side
ILPS 9801-BLabel, B-side
ILPS 9801 A - 2U - 1 - 4 - 6 1 SOUND CLINICRunout: Side A
ILPS 9801 B - X1U - 1 - 1 - 3 1 JONZRunout: Side B
ILPS 9801-ALabel: Side A
ILPS 9801-BLabel: Side B
ST-IL- 855 795-B STERLING SRCRunout A, variant 1
ST-IL- 855 796-B STERLING SRCRunout B, variant 1
ST-IL- 855 795-D 1-3 STERLING SRCRunout A, variant 2
ST-IL- 855 796-B 1-3 STERLING SRCRunout B, variant 2
ST-IL- 855 795-B SP-AR STERLING 1-2 0- ∆11041 B22161 SRCSide A runout Etch, stamped in brackets[ ]
ST-IL- 855 796-B 1-2 △11041-X 0- B-22162-B SRC SP-ARSide B runout Etch, stamped in brackets[ ]
ST-IL-855795-ARSide A label
ST-IL-855796-ARSide B label
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 | Australia & New Zealand | Island Records L 38480First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Island Records ISL 1066 / Island Records ISL-1066First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Island Records ISL 1066LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Canada | Island Records ISL-1066 / Island Records ISL 1066LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Ecuador | Ariola 923-1087First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Island Records 207 083First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Island Records 207 083-630 / Island Records 207 083First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Island Records 207 083First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | France | Island Records 826 463-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | Island Records VG71415 / Island Records 062-VG71415First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Ireland | Island Records ILPS 9801First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 9801First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Island Records R25D-2014First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Japan | Island Records R25D-2014LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Mexico | Island Records LAE-706 / Island Records ILPS 9801First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
39 vinyl pressings of Riptide are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Japan, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9801.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9801, 90471-1, R25D-2014, L 38480) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9801 A - 2U - 1 - 3 - 6 SOUND CLINIC and ILPS 9801 B - 2U - 1 - 1 - 11 JONZ. 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.
