Vinyl pressings
by Teddy Pendergrass · 1984
Love Language was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 16 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.
STEA 60317 A-1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-19419-A1 SLM △ 6849 1-1 TML-XRunout side A - variant 1
STEA60317 B-1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-19420-B1 SLM △ 6849-X TML-X 1-6Runout side B - variant 1
STEA 60317 A5 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-19419-A5 SLM △ 6849 1-1 TML-XRunout side A - variant 2
STEA60317 B-1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-19420-B1 SLM △ 6849-X TML-X 1-1Runout side B - variant 2
STEA 60317 A-1 QB-19419-A1 SLM 6849 0-15m2 ISide 1 (Var 1) Etched
STEA 60317 B-1 QB-19420-A1 SLM-SP 6849-X 0-15n2-2Side 2 (Var 1) Etched
STEA 60317 A-1 QB-19419-A1 SLM △6849 1-2 0-1 5m1-1 TML-XSide 1 (Var 2) Etched, Exc. "TML-X" stamped
STEA 60317 B-1 QB-19420-B1 SLM △6849-X TML-X ̷1̷-̷2̷ 0-15m1-1Side 2 (Var 2) Etched, Exc. "TML-X" stamped
STEA60317 A-1 B-19419-A1 SLM Δ6849 1-1Runout A
STEA60317 A-1 B-19419-A1 SLM Δ6849 1-1Runout B
ST-EA-60317-1 A ARLabel A
ST-EA-60317-1 B ARLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | Asylum Records 83805First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1984 | Australia | Asylum Records 60317-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Brazil | Asylum Records 22.095First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Asylum Records 96 03171First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Asylum Records 960 317-1First yearLP, Album, Mini-Album | LP, Album, Mini-Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Asylum Records 960 317-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Asylum Records 960 317-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | Asylum Records 96.0317-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Jamaica | Asylum Records 60317-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Philippines | Asylum Records 60317-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Portugal | Asylum Records 755 96-0317-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | South Africa | Asylum Records ekc 6149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | Asylum Records 960 317-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Asylum Records 60317-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Asylum Records 60317-1First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
22 vinyl pressings of Love Language are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1984 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is Asylum Records 60317-1, released May 28, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 60317-1, 960 317-1, P-11464, 83805) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STEA 60317 A-1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-19419-A1 SLM △ 6849 1-1 TML-X and STEA60317 B-1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-19420-B1 SLM △ 6849-X TML-X 1-6. 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.
