Vinyl pressings
by Squeeze · 1981
East Side Story 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.
20 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 12 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.
AMLH-64854-A2Runout A-side, variant 1
AMLH-64854-B1 A SLIMMER TWINS PRODUCTION A PORKY PRIME CUTRunout B-side, variant 1
AMLH-64854-A1 A PORKY PRIME CUTRunout A-side, variant 2
AMLH-64854-B1 A SLIMMER TWINS PRODUCTION A PORKY PRIME CUTRunout B-side, variant 2
AMLH-64854-A2 ASide A runout
AMLH 64854 B2 tone 4 ASide B runout
AMLH 64854-ASide A label
AMLH 64854-BSide B label
AM SP 04854-A ES 2• EMWRunout Side A [Etched]
AM SP 04854-B ES 2• EMWRunout Side B [Etched]
(••)A circle with "eyes" etched in runout on Sides A and B
A&M S̶P̶ ̶0̶4̶8̶5̶1̶-̶A̶ ̶R̶C̶A̶2̶ SP 3253A-2 1 A1GSide A runout, variant 1
AM S̶P̶ ̶0̶4̶8̶5̶4̶-̶B̶ ̶R̶C̶A̶1̶ . (:) SP..3253B-1 1 A1 BSide B runout, variant 1
A&M S̶P̶ ̶0̶4̶8̶5̶1̶-̶A̶ ̶R̶C̶A̶2̶ SP 3253A - 2 1 A1 FSide A runout, variant 2
AM S̶P̶ ̶0̶4̶8̶5̶4̶-̶B̶ ̶R̶C̶A̶1̶ . (:) SP 3253B-1 1 A1 HSide B runout, variant 2
AM SP 04854-A P1.Side A runout variant 1
AM SP 04854-B P1.Side B runout variant 1
AM SP 04854-A P2··Side A runout variant 2
AM SP 04854-B P1·Side B runout variant 2
AM SP 04854-A T3 • • TRunout side A, variant 1
AM SP 04854-B T4 • • TRunout side B, variant 1
AM SP 04854-A T3 • • T1Runout side A, variant 2
AM SP 04854-B T2 • • T2Runout side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | A&M Records L 37568 / A&M Records L-37568First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | A&M Records SP-04854 / A&M Records SP4854First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | A&M Records SP-04854 / A&M Records SP4854First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64854First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | A&M Records AMLH 64854First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Israel | A&M Records AMLH 64854First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | A&M Records L37568 / A&M Records SP 4854First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Portugal | A&M Records 2PSP-4854First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | A&M Records AMLS 64854First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | A&M Records AMLH 64854First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-4854First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-3253First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-4854First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-4854First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-4854 / A&M Records AM SP4854First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of East Side Story are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1981 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records AMLH 64854, released May 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMLH 64854, SP-4854, SP-3253, L 37568) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMLH-64854-A2 and AMLH-64854-B1 A SLIMMER TWINS PRODUCTION A PORKY PRIME CUT. 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.
