UK
September 1983- Label and catalog number
- I.R.S. Records SP 70037
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
AM SP 070037 - A RCA 1Runout A side
AM SP 070037 - B RCA 2Runout B side
Vinyl pressings
Ark
by The Animals · 1983
20 pressings12 countriesClassic RockRockBluesPop
Ark 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Ark
17 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 10 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.
UK
September 1983- Label and catalog number
- I.R.S. Records SP 70037
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
AM SP 070037 - A INT SP 070037 - A1Runout A side etched
AM SP 070037 - B INT SP 070037 - B1Runout B side etched
UK
September 1983- Label and catalog number
- I.R.S. Records SP 70037
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
AM SP 070037 - A INT SP 070037 - A1Runout A side etched
AM SP 070037 - B INT SP 070037 - B1Runout B side etched
US
1983- Label and catalog number
- I.R.S. Records SP 70037
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · "R" Label
- Runout / matrix
AM SP070037 - A RCA1. 1 A3Side A variant 1 runout etched
AM SP070037 - B RCA2.. 1 A1Side B variant 1 runout etched
AM SP070037-A RCA1• [horned head] 1 (stamped) A2C (A2 stamped; C etched)Side A variant 2, etched except where noted
AM SP070037-B RCA2•• [horned head] 1 (stamped) A1A (A1 stamped; A etched)Side B variant 2, etched except where noted
US
1983- Label and catalog number
- I.R.S. Records SP 70037
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Monarch Pressing; "C" Label
- Runout / matrix
AM SP 070037 - A M2.. [Face with pointy ears] MR △ 26208Side A runout, variant 1
AM SP 070037 - B M2.. [Face with pointy ears] MR △ 26208Side B runout, variant 1
AM SP 070037 - A M2.. [Face with pointy ears] MR △ 26208Side A runout, variant 2
AM SP 070037 - B M2.. [Face with pointy ears] MR △ 26208XSide B runout, variant 2
US
1983- Label and catalog number
- I.R.S. Records SP70037
- Format
- LP, Album · "B" Label, EMW Pressing
- Runout / matrix
AMSP070037-A ES1 . [horned head] EMWSide One Matrix
AMSP070037-B ES1 . [horned head] EMWSide Two Matrix
AMSP070037-A" ES2··[horned head] EMWSide One Matrix
AMSP070037-B ES2··[horned head] EMWSide Two Matrix
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 20 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s19 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Illegal Records ELPS 4394 / I.R.S. Records ELPS 4394First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Australia | Illegal Records ELPS 4394 / I.R.S. Records ELPS 4394First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Brazil | Discos CBS 138.571 / Discos CBS 138571First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | I.R.S. Records SP 70037 / I.R.S. Records SP-070037First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Illegal Records ILP 25646 / Illegal Records 25646First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Illegal Records ILP 25646 / Illegal Records 25646First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany & Switzerland | I.R.S. Records SP 70037First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | Illegal Records ILP 25646 / I.R.S. Records ILP 25646First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2673First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | Illegal Records ILP 25646First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70037First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70037First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records SP70037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records SP-70037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70037LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
2010s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | UK & Europe | Secret Records Limited SECLP119LP, Album | LP, Album |
Tracklist
- A1Loose Change2:57
- A2Love Is For All Time4:12
- A3My Favourite Enemy3:45
- A4Prisoner Of Light4:05
- A5Being There3:23
- A6Hard Times2:52
- B1The Night3:51
- B2Trying To Get To You4:15
- B3Just Can't Get Enough3:52
- B4Melt Down3:05
- B5Gotta Get Back To You2:40
- B6Crystal Nights4:03
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Ark are there?
20 vinyl pressings of Ark are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1983 and 2015.
When was Ark first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is I.R.S. Records SP 70037, released September 1983.
How do I tell if my copy of Ark is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 70037, SP70037, SP-70037, ELPS 4394) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AM SP 070037 - A RCA 1 and AM SP 070037 - B RCA 2. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Ark on vinyl worth?
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.
