Vinyl pressings
by Rupert Holmes · 1981
Full Circle was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
5E-560-A1-ED-SP [EDP logo] M3 SF1 SM1 0-1 SM 1-1 JG♡Runout side A, variant 1
5E-560-B1-ED-SP 0-1 SM 1-1 [EDP logo] M1 SF1 SM1 JG♡Runout side B, variant 1
5E-560-A1-ED-SP [EDP logo] M3 JG♡Runout side A, variant 2
5E-560-B1-ED-SP [EDP logo] M1 JG♡Runout side B, variant 2
K•56328-A1 STRAWBERRYSide A runout - Variant 1
K•56328-B1 STRAWBERRYSide B runout - Variant 1
K 56328 A1 W-3 STRAWBERRY ASide A runout - Variant 2 etched [STRAWBERRY stamped]
K 56328 B1 STRAWBERRY A W-1Side B runout - Variant 2 etched [STRAWBERRY stamped]
X5E-560-A· K.E.F. TLC·T·Runout Side A, etched
X5E-560-B· K.E.F. TLC·T·Runout Side B, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra X5E-560First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | Elektra ELK 52328 / Elektra ELK K 52 328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Elektra ELK 52328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Elektra P-11086EFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Elektra P-11086EFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Spain | Elektra S 90.498First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Elektra K 52328First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Elektra 5E-560First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Elektra 5E-560First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Elektra 5E-560First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Elektra 5E-560First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Mexico | Elektra LWE-6083LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | South Korea | Elektra 5E-560LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Full Circle are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Elektra 5E-560.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5E-560, K 52328, X5E-560, ELK 52328) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5E-560-A1-ED-SP [EDP logo] M3 SF1 SM1 0-1 SM 1-1 JG♡ and 5E-560-B1-ED-SP 0-1 SM 1-1 [EDP logo] M1 SF1 SM1 JG♡. 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.
