Vinyl pressings
by Supermax · 1979
African Blood was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. 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 1979, the album's first year, in 7 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.
79/504 A II x 12342 Ax SSTRunout side A, variant 1
12342-B 79/504 B II SSTRunout side B, variant 1
79/504 A II xxx 12342 A SSTRunout side A, variant 2
79/504 B II x 12342 - B x SSTRunout side B, variant 2
12342-A 791504 AII SSTA-side runout groove inscription
12342-B 791504 BII SSTB-side runout groove inscription
79/503-1-AA-side label
79/503-1-BB-side label
79/503/01A 22025A² 79/505 A²Side A runout, variant 1
79/505 B 22025-B²Side B runout, variant 1
79/503/01A 22025A² 79/505 A² SSTSide A runout, etched, variant 2
79/505 B II 22025-B´´´ X SSTSide B runout, etched, variant 2
ELK 22026 AIWLabel side A
ELK 22026 BIWLabel side B
79/503/01A 22025A² 79/505 A²Side A Runout, etched
79/505 B 22025-B²Side B Runout, etched
79/503/01-ASide A Label
79/505-BSide B Label
79/503 - 1-ASide A Label
79/503 - 1-BSide B Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Austria | Elektra ELK 22 025First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1979 | Austria | Elektra ELK 12 342First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Belgium | Elektra 22025First year12" | 12" |
| 1979 | Benelux | Elektra 12342First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Benelux | Elektra 12342First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Elektra ELK 22 025First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Elektra ELK 12 342First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Elektra ELK 22 025First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1979 | Spain | Elektra 45-1861 / Hispavox 45-1861First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Elektra ELK 22 026First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Stereo · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Stereo · Picture disc |
| 1979 | Germany | Elektra ELK 12 342First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Elektra ELK 12 342Ⓝ / Elektra ELK 12 342First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of African Blood are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Germany, UK, Austria, Belgium and more. One of them is Elektra ELK 12 342, released April 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ELK 12 342, ELK 12 342Ⓝ, ELK 22 025, ELK 22 026) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 79/504 A II x 12342 Ax SST and 12342-B 79/504 B II SST. 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.
