Vinyl pressings
by Rush · 1978
Archives was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 1978, the album's first year, in 4 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.
ANR-3-1013-A-SIDE I ② ◎ RECORD-1Side A runout
ANR-3-1013 A SIDE 2 ② ◎Side B runout
ANR-3-1013-B- SIDE I ② ◎ RECORD-2Side C runout
ANR-3-1013-B-SIDE 2 RECORD 2 ② ◎Side D runout
ANR-3-1013-A-SIDE I ② ◎ RECORD-1Side A Runout
ANR-3-1013 A SIDE 2 ② ◎Side B Runout
ANR-3-1013-B- SIDE I ② ◎ RECORD-2Side C Runout
ANR-3-1013-B-SIDE 2 RECORD 2 ② ◎Side D Runout
SRM-3-9200-A-PRC-R-1-1-1 MASTERDISK HWRunout side A
SRM-3-9200-B-PRC-R-1-1-1 MASTERDISK HWRunout side B
SRM-3-9200-C-PRC-R-1-1-1 MASTERDISK HWRunout side C
SRM-3-9200-D-PRC-R-1-1-1 MASTERDISK HWRunout side D
SRM-3-9200P-A-CP8 S̶R̶M̶-̶1̶-̶1̶0̶1̶1̶ ̶A̶-̶C̶P̶8̶ MASTERDISK G.K.A Side Runout
SRM-3-9200-BCP8 S̶R̶M̶-̶1̶-̶1̶0̶1̶1̶ ̶B̶-̶C̶P̶8̶ P MASTERDISK G.K.B Side Runout
SRM-3-9200-C-CP-9 P S̶R̶M̶-̶1̶-̶1̶0̶2̶3̶ ̶A̶-̶C̶P̶9̶ MASTERDISK G.K.C Side Runout
SRM-3-9200-D-CP-4 P S̶R̶M̶-̶1̶-̶1̶0̶2̶3̶-̶B̶-̶C̶P̶4̶ MASTERDISK G.K.D Side Runout
SRM-3-9200-AS-PRC-C-2-1-1 MASTERDISK HWRunout, side A
SRM-3-9200-B-PRC-C1-1-1 MASTERDISK HWRunout, side B
SRM-3-9200-C-PRC-C1-1-1 MASTERDISK HWRunout, side C
SRM-3-9200-D-PRC-C1-1-1 MASTERDISK HWRunout, side D
9199589 A//1▼420 1 1 5Runout, A-side stamped variant 1
9199589 B//1▼420 1 1 4Runout, B-side stamped variant 1
9199590 A//1▼420 1 1 9Runout, C-side stamped variant 1
9199590 B//1▼420 1 1 3Runout, D-side stamped variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | Anthem ANR-3-1013First yearLP, Album, LP, Album, LP, Album, All Media, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, LP, Album, LP, Album, All Media, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Anthem ANR-3-1013LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1978 | Canada | Anthem ANR-3-1013First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Anthem ANR-3-1013LP, Album, LP, Album, LP, Album, All Media, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, LP, Album, LP, Album, All Media, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Anthem ANR-3-1013LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Album, Reissue, All Media, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Album, Reissue, All Media, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Anthem ANR-3-1013LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1978 | US | Mercury SRM-3-9200First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | US | Mercury SRM-3-9200LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, All Media, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, All Media, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1978 | USA & Canada | Mercury SRM-3-9200First yearLP, Album, Stereo, LP, Album, Stereo, LP, Album, Stereo, All Media, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo, LP, Album, Stereo, LP, Album, Stereo, All Media, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Mercury SRM-3-9200First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | US | Mercury SRM-3-9200LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, All Media, Compilation | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, All Media, Compilation |
| 1978 | US | Mercury SRM-3-9200LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, All Media, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, All Media, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1978 | US | Mercury SRM-3-9200LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, All Media, Compilation | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, All Media, Compilation |
| 1978 | US | Mercury SRM-3-9200LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, All Media, Compilation | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, All Media, Compilation |
| 1978 | US | Mercury SRM-3-9200LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, All Media, Compilation | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, All Media, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | Mercury SRM-3-9200LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Anthem ANR3 1013 / Anthem ANR-3-1013LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Mercury 6641 799LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-3-9200LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-3-9200LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-3-9200LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-3-9200LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Mercury 422-822553-1 M-3LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-3-9200LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-3-9200LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-3-9200LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
33 vinyl pressings of Archives are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1978 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Canada, US, UK, USA & Canada. One of them is Anthem ANR-3-1013.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ANR-3-1013, SRM-3-9200, 6641 799) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ANR-3-1013-A-SIDE I ② ◎ RECORD-1 and ANR-3-1013 A SIDE 2 ② ◎. 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.
