Vinyl pressings
by The Amboy Dukes · 1970
Marriage On The Rocks - Rock Bottom was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. 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 1970, 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.
POLP 80051 MR \Δ14382 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ RLSide A, Runout [variant 1]
POLP 80052 MR \Δ14382-X sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ RLSide B, Runout [variant 1]
POLP 80051 MR \Δ14382 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ RLSide A, Runout [variant 2]
POLP 80052 MR \Δ14382-XSide B, Runout [variant 2]
POLP 80051 LW sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ RLSide A, Runout Etched, sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ Stamped
POLP 80052 LW sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ RLSide B, Runout Etched, sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ Stamped
POLP 80051 LW sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ RLSide A, Runout Etched, sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ Stamped
M Stamped POLP 80052 LW sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ RLSide B, Runout Etched, sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ Stamped
T T POLP 80051 - 1 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
T T POLP 80052 - 1 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
T 1 POLP 80051 - 1 STERLING A 3Side A runout, variant 2
T 1 POLP 80052 - 1 STERLING A 2Side B runout, variant 2
POLP 80051-1Side One (Etched)
POLP 80052-2Side Two (Etched)
STERLINGStamped Both Sides
T 1 POLP 80051-1Side One (Etched)
POLP 80051 LW STERLING RLSide A runout
POLP 80052 LW STERLING RLSide B runout
POLP 80051Side A, Label
POLP 80052Side B, Label
T 1 POLP 80051 -1 STERLINGSide A, etched except "STERLING" stamp
T 1 POLP 80052 -1 STERLINGSide B, etched excerpt "STERLING" stamp
POLP 80051Label side A
POLP 80052Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Canada | Polydor 2425 010First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | France | Polydor 2425 010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Germany | Polydor 2425 010First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Germany | Polydor 2425 010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Spain | Polydor 24 25 010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Polydor 24-4012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Polydor 24-4012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Polydor 24-4012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Polydor 24-4012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Polydor 24-4012First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Polydor 24-4012First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Polydor 24-4012 / Polydor ST-93144LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1970 | US | Polydor 24-4012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Polydor PD 1 6073 / Polydor PD-1-6073LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Polydor PD 1 6073LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Spain | Polydor 24 75 687LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Spain | Polydor 24 75 687LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1988 | Spain | Polydor 24 75 687LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Polydor PD 1 6073 / Polydor PD-1-6073LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Polydor PD 1 6073 / Polydor PD-1-6073LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Polydor 24-4012LP | LP |
| ? | US | Polydor PD 1 6073LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
27 vinyl pressings of Marriage On The Rocks - Rock Bottom are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1970 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Canada, France, Germany and more. One of them is Polydor 24-4012, released February 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 24-4012, 2425 010, 24 25 010) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLP 80051 MR \Δ14382 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ RL and POLP 80052 MR \Δ14382-X sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ RL. 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.
