Vinyl pressings
by Sting · 1985
Russians was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
42 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 14 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.
AMY 292 A // 1▽420U 1 1 3 ψTOPIASide A runout
AMY 292 B // 1▽420U 1 1 3 ψTOPIASide B runout
AMY 292-ASide A label
AMY 292-BSide B label
AM 292 A//2∇420 U 1 6A-side runout, stamped variant 1
AM 292 B//1∇420 U 1 1B-side runout, stamped variant 1
[lyre symbol]TOPIAB-side runout, etched variant 1
AM 292 A // 2 ▽ 420 USide A runout variant 2
AM 292 A // 2 ▽ 420 U 1 6Side A runout
AM 292 B // 1 ▽ 420 U 1 1Side B runout
AM 292 B // 2 ▽ 420 U UTOPIASide B
AM 292 A // 2 ▽ 420 USide
AM 02799 - A RCA 2･･ [Trumpet symbol] I A 3Runout, side A, etched (Trumpet I A 3 stamps), Variant 1
AM 02799 - B RCA 3･･ [Trumpet symbol] I [scratched A 2] A [scratched 2] 1Runout, side B, etched (Trumpet I A 3 stamps), Variant 1
AM 02799 - A RCA 1･ [Trumpet symbol] 1 A 2Runout, side A, etched (Trumpet 1 A 2 stamps), Variant 2
AM 02799 - B RCA 3･･ [Trumpet symbol] 1 A 3Runout, side B, etched (Trumpet 1 A 3 stamps), Variant 2
AMSP-012164-A ES1! [Trumpet Symbol] EmwRunout side A
AMSP-012164-B ES1! [Trumpet Symbol] EmwRunout side B
SP-012164-ALabel side A
SP-012164-BLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | A&M Records K-9871 / A&M Records AM-2799First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | A&M Records X 14271First year12", Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1985 | Australia & New Zealand | A&M Records X 14271First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1985 | Canada | A&M Records SP-12164First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | A&M Records AM-2799First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | France | A&M Records 390 061-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | France | A&M Records 392 061-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | A&M Records AM 292First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | France | A&M Records 390 061-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | A&M Records 392 061-1First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Germany | A&M Records 390 062-7 / A&M Records 390 061-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | A&M Records 392 062-1 / A&M Records 392 061-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | A&M Records 390 062-7 / A&M Records 390 061-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Germany | A&M Records 390 061-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Germany | A&M Records 390 061-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
46 vinyl pressings of Russians are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Australia, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is A&M Records AMY 292, released November 1, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMY 292, AM 292, AM-2799, SP-12164) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMY 292 A // 1▽420U 1 1 3 ψTOPIA and AMY 292 B // 1▽420U 1 1 3 ψTOPIA. 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.
