Vinyl pressings
by The Clash · 1981
The Call Up 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.
11 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 2 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.
oT\ XSM - 1̶6̶8̶5̶2̶6̶ 168525 -1D D3Side A runout, variant 1
oT\ XSM - 1̶6̶8̶5̶2̶5̶ 168526 -1D STERLING A3Side B runout, variant 1
o T1 XSM - 1̶6̶8̶5̶2̶6̶ 168525 -1D CSide A runout, variant 2
o T1 XSM - 1̶6̶8̶5̶2̶5̶ 168526 1C STERLING ASide B runout, variant 2
oT\ XSM - 1̶6̶8̶5̶2̶6̶ 168525 -1DEtched in runout, a-side
oT\ XSM - 1̶6̶8̶5̶2̶5̶ 168526 -1CEtched in runout, b-side
STERLINGStamped in runout, b-side
XSM 168525Printed on label, a-side
XSM-168525-1D STERLING T1 A1A-side runout, variant 1
XSM-168526-1D T1 B1B-side runout, variant 1
XSM- 168525-1D STERLING A2 o T1A-side runout, variant 2
XSM- 168526-1D B1 o T1B-side runout, variant 2
XSM-168525-1A X̶S̶M̶-̶1̶6̶8̶5̶2̶6̶-̶1̶A̶ STERLING c1Runout side A, variant 1
XSM-168526-1A X̶S̶M̶-̶1̶6̶8̶5̶2̶5̶-̶1̶A̶ STERLING ARunout side B, variant 1
XSM-168525-1A X̶S̶M̶-̶1̶6̶8̶5̶2̶6̶-̶1̶A̶ STERLING C1Runout side A, variant 2
XSM-168526-1A X̶S̶M̶-̶1̶6̶8̶5̶2̶5̶-̶1̶A̶ STERLING oRunout side B, variant 2
\ S I XSM - 1̶6̶8̶5̶2̶6̶ -1F o STERLING 168525 -1F A\Side A runout, variant 1
\ S XSM - 1̶6̶8̶5̶2̶5̶ -1F XSM - 168526 -1F STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
XSM-168525-1F A / / S I o STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
XSM-168526-1E o STERLING / SSide B runout, variant 2
XSM-168525- 1H STERLINGSIDE A
XSM-168526- 1H STERLINGSIDE 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Epic EX 12015First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Epic EX 12015First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Epic EX 12015First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Epic 48-02036First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | US | Epic 48-02036First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | US | Epic 48-02036First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Epic XSM-16852512", Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo | 12", Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo |
| 1981 | US | Epic 48-02036First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Epic 48-02036First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | US | Epic 48-02036First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Misprint, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Epic 48-02036First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | US | Epic 48-02036First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Epic 48-0203612", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
13 vinyl pressings of The Call Up are listed here, from 2 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Australia. One of them is Epic 48-02036.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 48-02036, EX 12015) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, oT\ XSM - 1̶6̶8̶5̶2̶6̶ 168525 -1D D3 and oT\ XSM - 1̶6̶8̶5̶2̶5̶ 168526 -1D STERLING A3. 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.
