Vinyl pressings
by Robert Palmer · 1979
Secrets 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.
32 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 16 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 9544 A-1U JonzSide A, stamped (exc. Jonz etched), variant 1
ILPS 9544 B-2USide B, stamped, variant 1
ILPS 9544 A-1U T C Jonz 1Side A, stamped/etched, variant 2
ILPS 9544 B-2U 1Side B, stamped, variant 2
ILPS 9544 A-1U Jonz etchedSide 1, stamped
ILPS 9544 B-2USide 2, stamped
ILPS 9544 A-1U Jonz etchedSide 1, stamped
ILPS 9544 B-2USide 2, stamped
ILPS-1-9544-WW1 STERLING —◁Runout A, variant 1
ILPS 2 9544-WW2 #2 —◁ STERLINGRunout B, variant 1
ILPS-1-9544-WW1 #4 STERLING gc —◁Runout A, variant 2
ILPS 2 9544-WW2 #4 —◁ STERLINGRunout B, variant 2
ILPS-1-9544-LW3• 1 STERLING ✲ STERLINGRunout A, variant 1
ILPS-9544-LW5• 1 ✲ STERLINGRunout B, variant 1
ILPS-1-9544-LW2• 3 ✲ STERLINGRunout A, variant 2
ILPS-1-9544-LW5• 1 ✲ STERLINGRunout B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | Island Records SUP 2435-80.045 / Island Records SUP 80045First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Australia | Island Records L 36957First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | Island Records 200 662First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Island Records ILPS 9544 / Island Records ILPS-9544First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Island Records XILP 9544First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Island Records ILPS 9544 / Island Records ILPS-9544First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Island Records ILPS 9544 / Island Records ILPS-9544First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1979 | France | Island Records 9123046LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | France | Island Records 9123046First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Island Records 200 662-320 / Island Records 200 662First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Island Records 30 950 0LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1979 | Germany | Island Records 200 662 / Island Records 200 662-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Island Records 200 662-320 / Island Records 200 662First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Island Records 200 662-320 / Island Records 200 662First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Greece | Island Records 14C 062-62861First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Peru | Island Records ILPS 9544LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Portugal | Island Records 5009544 / Island Records 5009 544LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Japan | Island Records 20S-69LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Island Records ISM-9544LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Island Records ILPM 9544LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | Island Records 200.662-I / Island Records 200662-ILP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Island Records 200 662-320 / Island Records 200 662LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Island Records 200 662 / Island Records 200 662LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPM 9544LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Island Records 90089-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
44 vinyl pressings of Secrets are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1979 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Netherlands, Argentina and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9544.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9544, PRO-A-819, 200 662-320, SUP 2435-80.045) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9544 A-1U Jonz and ILPS 9544 B-2U. 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.
