Vinyl pressings
by Stevie Wonder · 1982
Ribbon In The Sky 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.
14 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 9 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.
1639-TFA-66592-15A-2 EDP Precision SMA Side etched (EDP stamp) Variant 1
1639-TFB-65856-15B- Precision SM EDPB Side etched (EDP stamp) Variant 1
1639-TFA-66592-15B-2 EDP MISFI MS3 PLANT #14 Precision SMA Side etched (EDP stamp) Variant 2
1639-TFB-65856-15A-2 Precision SM EDP MISFI MS3 PLANT #14B Side etched (EDP stamp) Variant 2
1639-TFA-66592-15B-2 UB EDP MISF/MSZ Precision SMA Side
1639-TFB-65856-15B-2 4-B EDP Precision SMB Side
1639-TFA-66572-15A-2 .../... MISFISM1 PLANT#8 Precision SM.Runout Side A etched
1639-TFB-65856-15B-1 .../... MISFISM5 PLANT#8Runout Side B etched
EDPStamped (circled) Runout both sides
66592Label A Side
1639-TFA-66592-15B-2 UB EDP MISF/MSZ Precision SMA Side
1639-TFB-65856-15B-2 4-B EDP Precision SMB Side
1639-TFA-66592-15A-2A Side
1639-TFB-65856-15B-2B Side
1639-TFA-66592-15B-1A Side
1639-TFB-65856-15B-2B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Motown 1639 TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Brazil | Motown 101.8249First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Tamla T 1639XFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Jamaica | Tamla 1639TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Japan | Motown VIPX-1668 / Motown MOT-1668First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Motown 1639 TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Portugal | Motown 01639TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Spain | Motown SPBO-60029 / Tamla SPBO-60029First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | US | Tamla 1639TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | US | Tamla 1639TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Tamla 1639TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | US | Tamla 1639TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | US | Tamla 1639TFFirst year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Tamla 1639TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
14 vinyl pressings of Ribbon In The Sky are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Tamla 1639TF, released August 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1639TF, 1639 TF, 101.8249, T 1639X) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1639-TFA-66592-15A-2 EDP Precision SM and 1639-TFB-65856-15B- Precision SM EDP. 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.
