Vinyl pressings
by Stewart Copeland · 1983
Don't Box Me In was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. 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 1983, 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.
MR ∆ 109499X A&M 02604 AM1Side A, etched runout
MR ∆ 109499 A&M 02604 B M1Side B, etched runout
AM-02604-ASide A, center label
AM-02604-BSide B, center label
A&M 02604 A c1Side A
A&M 02604 B c1Side B
AM 177 B1 INTSide B runout
P AM 02604A P4Side A runout, etched
AM-02604-ASide A label
AM-02604-BSide B label
P A&M 02604 B P1
A&M SP 017260 A ESIRunout side A
A&M SP 017260 AA ESIRunout side B
A&M 02604 A P3 P
A&M 02604 A P4 P
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | A&M Records K-9268First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 9751First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 9757First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | A&M Records K-9268First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | A&M Records AM 177First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | A&M Records AM 177First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records AM-2604First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records SP-17260First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records AM 2604First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records AM-2604First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | Not On LabelFirst year7", White Label | 7", White Label |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records AM-2604First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | A&M Records AMS 97517", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Don't Box Me In are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is A&M Records AM-2604.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AM-2604, SP-17260, AM 2604, AM 177) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MR ∆ 109499X A&M 02604 AM1 and MR ∆ 109499 A&M 02604 B M1. 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.
