Vinyl pressings
by The Bureau · 1981
Only For Sheep was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 11 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.
W-12 K 18478-A1 ARUNRunout side A, variant 1
K 18478-B1 RUSS 4 (scratched) (Heart) CLAIRE SINRunout side B, variant 1
W-12 K 18478-A1 1 ARUNRunout A etched, variant 2
K-18478-B1 1 W8Runout B etched, variant 2
(A-Side - Stamped) G MX197997 700 168-1
(B-Side - Stamped) G MX197998 700 168-2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | WEA 100168First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | WEA 18478 / WEA 18478First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | WEA WEA 18478First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | France | WEA Filipacchi Music 18478First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Ireland | WEA K18478 / WEA K 18478First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Italy | WEA K18478First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Netherlands | WEA 18 478 / WEA WEA 18.478First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | WEA z 10044First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Portugal | WEA WEA K 18478First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | South Africa | Wea International WIS 550First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | WEAFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1981 | US | Atlantic PR 403First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Atlantic 3861First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1981 | US | Atlantic 3861First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | WEA K18478 / WEA K 18478First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
16 vinyl pressings of Only For Sheep are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Australia, France and more. One of them is WEA K18478, released March 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K18478, 3861, PR 403, 100168) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, W-12 K 18478-A1 ARUN and K 18478-B1 RUSS 4 (scratched) (Heart) CLAIRE SIN. 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.
