Vinyl pressings
by Safire · 1988
Boy, I've Been Told was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 5 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.
870 - 514 - 7 - 2 - 59805 - CLUB - SP 1-1 STERLING SRCRunout side A, etched, except [STERLING SRC logo] stamped
870 - 514 - 7 - 2 - 59805 - SP1 1-1 STERLING SRCRunout side B, etched, except [STERLING SRC logo] stamped
2-59805 CLUBLabel side-A
2-59805Label side-B
870-514-1-AS-SP 1-2A-Side Runout Etching
870-514-1-SP1B-Side Runout Etching
STERLING SRCRunout Stamp Each Side
870-514-1-AS-HRM A-1A-Side Runout Etching, variant 1
870-514-1-BS-HRM A-2B-Side Runout Etching, variant 1
870-514-1-AS-HRM A-1A-Side Runout Etching, variant 2
870-514-1-BS-HRM A-1B-Side Runout Etching, variant 2
870-514-7-2-59805-CBS G1 A1Runout, Side A, Etched, variant 1
870-514-7-2-59805-CLUB-CBS G1 A1 ☆Runout, Side B, Etched, variant 1
870-514-7-2-59805-CBS G1 A4Runout, Side A, Etched, variant 2
870-514-7-2-59805-CLUB-CBS G1 A1 ☆Runout, Side B, Etched, variant 2
870-514-1-AS-SP 1-2A-Side Runout Etching
870-514-1-BS-SP1 1-1 ✩B-Side Runout Etching
STERLING SRCRunout Stamp Each Side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | Cutting Records 870 514-1 / Mercury 870 514-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Australia | Mercury 870 514-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Australia | Cutting Records 870 514-1 / Mercury 870 514-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1988 | France | Mercury 870 514-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Netherlands | Cutting Records 872 353-1 / Mercury 872 353-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Philippines | Mercury EP-MER-8563 / Mercury 872 353-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Cutting Records 870 514-7 / Mercury 870 514-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | US | Mercury 870 514-1 / Cutting Records 870 514-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1988 | US | Cutting Records PRO-666-1-AS/BS-ES12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | US | Cutting Records 870 514-1 / Mercury 870 514-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Mercury 870 514-1 / Cutting Records 870 514-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1988 | US | Cutting Records 870 514-7 / Mercury 870 514-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | US | PolyGram 870 514112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | US | Cutting Records 870 514-7 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
14 vinyl pressings of Boy, I've Been Told are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, Australia, France, Netherlands and more. One of them is Cutting Records 870 514-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 870 514-7, 870 514-1, 870 514-7 DJ, 872 353-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 870 - 514 - 7 - 2 - 59805 - CLUB - SP 1-1 STERLING SRC and 870 - 514 - 7 - 2 - 59805 - SP1 1-1 STERLING SRC. 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.
