Vinyl pressings
by The Big Supreme · 1986
Don't Walk was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 6 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.
POSPX 809 A // 1 ▽ 420 UVariant 1 side A runout
POSPX 809 B // 1 ▽ 420 UVariant 1 side B runout
POSPX 809 A // 1 ▽ 420 U 1 1 5Variant 2 side A runout
POSPX 809 B // 1 ▽ 420 U 1 1 6Variant 2 side B runout
POSP 809 A // 1 ∇ 420 U 1 1Runout (stamped) Side A
POSP 809 B // 1 ∇L 420 U 1 1Runout (stamped) Side B
POSP 809 A // 1 ∇ 420 U 1 1Runout (stamped) Side A
POSP 809 B // 1 ∇L 420 U 1 1Runout (stamped) Side B
POSP 809 A // 1 ∇420 U 1 1Runout (stamped) side A
POSP 809 B // 1 ∇L 420 U 1 1Runout (stamped) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Polydor 885 172-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | Polydor 885 172-1 / Polydor MX-66830First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | Polydor 885 172-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | Polydor 885 172-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Spain | Polydor 885 172-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | Spain | Polydor 885 172-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Polydor POSPX809First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | Polydor POSP 809First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | Polydor POSPX809-DJFirst year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | Polydor POSP 809 / Polydor 885 172-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | Polydor POSP 809First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | US | Elusive Records EL-001First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | US | Elusive Records EL-001First year12", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
13 vinyl pressings of Don't Walk are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Australia, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is Polydor POSPX809.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSPX809, POSP 809, POSPX809-DJ, EL-001) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSPX 809 A // 1 ▽ 420 U and POSPX 809 B // 1 ▽ 420 U. 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.
