Vinyl pressings
by The B-52's · 1980
Private Idaho was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1980, 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.
WBS-49537-YAA-9567-S-LW1 ✲ ✲ STERLINGSide A Etching (✲ ✲ STERLING stamped)
WBS-49537-YAA-9559-S-LW1 ✲ ✲ STERLINGSide B Etching (✲ ✲ STERLING stamped)
YAA9567SSide A Label
YAA9559SSide B Label
WBS-49537-YAA-9567-S-JW1 #2 ★ STERLINGSide A runout, etched/stamped
WBS-49537-YAA-9559-S-JW1 #2 STERLINGSide B runout, etched/stamped
YAA9567SSide A label
YAA9559SSide B label
WBS-49537-YAA-9567-S-WWI —◁A-Side Runout Etching
WBS-49537-YAA-9559-S-WWI —◁B-Side Runout Etching
YAA9567SA-Side Label
YAA9559SB-Side Label
WBS-49537-YAA-9567-S-WWI . —◁ #4A-Side Runout Etching
WBS-49537-YAA-9559-S-WWI . —◁B-Side Runout Etching
STERLINGStamped on both sides
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records WB 0291First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49537First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49537First year7", Single, Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono | 7", Single, Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono |
| 1980 | Ecuador | Warner Bros. Records 45-80044First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Germany | Island Records 102.698First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Island Records WIP 26660First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records G-2363First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Island Records 102.698First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WB 0291First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Philippines | Island Records IS-88-8006First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49537First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49537First year7", Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono | 7", Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49537First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records PRO-A-890First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49537First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
19 vinyl pressings of Private Idaho are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Australia, Canada, Ecuador and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WBS 49537, released August 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBS 49537, PRO-A-890, WB 0291, 45-80044) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WBS-49537-YAA-9567-S-LW1 ✲ ✲ STERLING and WBS-49537-YAA-9559-S-LW1 ✲ ✲ STERLING. 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.
