Vinyl pressings
by Squeeze · 1982
Sweets From A Stranger was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 11 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 64899 A-1A-side runout, variant 1
AMLH 64899 B-3B-side runout, variant 1
AMLH 64899 A-2 ⋀A-side runout, [⋀ stamped], variant 2
AMLH 64899 B-1 ⋀B-side runout, [⋀ stamped], variant 2
AMLH. 64899-A-1 ⋀Side A runout, etched / stamped
AMLH . 64899-B-1 ⋀Side B runout, etched / stamped
AMSP 04899-A RCA 3. ⚇ I A1 HRunout A, I A1 stamp, variant 1
AMSP 04899-B RCA 4. ⚇ I A3 HRunout B, I A3 stamp, variant 1
AM SP04899-A RCA 2 IRunout A, I stamp, variant 2
AM SP04899-A RCA 2 IRunout B; I stamp, variant 2
AM SP 04899-A RCA 3·· ⚇ I A2IRunout A variant 1
AM SP 04899-B RCA 4· ⚇ I A1ARunout B variant 1
AM SP 04899-A RCA 4·· ⚇ I A1HRunout A variant 2
AM SP 04899-B RCA 4· ⚇ I A3CRunout B variant 2
SP-04899-ASide A Matrix
SP-04899-BSide B Matrix
AM SP 04899-A GD1Variant 1 Run-out area A-side [hand-etched]
AM SP 04899-A GD2Variant 1 Run-out area B-side [hand-etched]
AMSP 04899-A RCA 3Run-out area A-side [hand-etched]
AMSP 04899-B RCA 4Run-out area B-side [hand-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | A&M Records AML.37848First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1982 | Australia | A&M Records L 37848First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4899 / A&M Records SP 4899First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4899 / A&M Records SP 4899First yearLP | LP |
| 1982 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64899First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64899First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Greece | A&M Records AMLH 64899First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Israel | A&M Records AMLH 64899First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28056First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28056First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | New Zealand | A&M Records L 37848First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Portugal | A&M Records AMLH 64899First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | South Korea | High Stereo Light 298LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1982 | Spain | A&M Records AMLH 64899First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64899First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-4899 / A&M Records SP 4899LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
28 vinyl pressings of Sweets From A Stranger are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1982 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records AMLH 64899.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMLH 64899, SP-4899, AML.37848, L 37848) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMLH 64899 A-1 and AMLH 64899 B-3. 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.
