Vinyl pressings
by Simple Minds · 1981
The American 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.
9 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 3 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.
VS-4I0-12-A1 HERE COMES THE FLAG TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 1
VS-4I0-12-B1 TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 1
VS-410-12-A1 3 HERE COMES THE FLAG TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 2
VS-4I0-12-B1 TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 2
VS 410 A1 HERE COMES THE FLAGSide A, etched - variant 1
VS 410 A̸B1Side B, etched - variant 1
VS 410 A2 HERE COMES THE FLAGSide A, etched - variant 2
⋀Side A, stamped - variant 2
VS 410 A2 HERE COMES THE FLAGRunout, side A, etched
TOWNHOUSE ⋀Runout, side B, stamped
VS 410 B-3U-1-1 - 4Runout, side B, stamped
PECKORunout, side B, etched
VS-410-12-A1 3 HERE COMES THE FLAG TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 1
VS 41012 B-2U-1-2-[20 partially cancelled] PECKORunout side B, variant 1
VS-410-12-A1 HERE COMES THE FLAG TOWNHOUSE 12 2Runout side A, variant 2
VS 41012 B-2U-1-1-: : PECKORunout side B, variant 2
VS 410 A-3U-1-1-3 A PORKY PRIME CUTRunout side A, variant 1
VS 410 B-3U-1-1-3 PECKORunout side B, variant 1
VS 410 A-3U-1-1-X1 A PORKY PRIME CUTRunout side A, variant 2
VS 410 B-3U-1-1-X1 PECKORunout side B, variant 2
Å MX194838 VS41012-1Side A runout groove hand-etched
Å MX194839 VS41012-2Side B runout groove hand-etched
MX194838Side A label
MX194839Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin VS 41012First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin VS 410First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | France | Virgin 103284First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 410First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin VS 410First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 410-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 410First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 410First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 410-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | France | Virgin 8022612", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of The American are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1981 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, France. One of them is Virgin VS 410-12, released May 23, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 410-12, VS 410, VS 41012, 103284) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS-4I0-12-A1 HERE COMES THE FLAG TOWNHOUSE and VS-4I0-12-B1 TOWNHOUSE. 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.
