Vinyl pressings
by The Lotus Eaters · 1983
The First Picture Of You 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.
19 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
SYL 1 A // 1 ∇ 420 S 1 1 1 3 THE ROBOT STRAWBERRYRunout, A-side, variant 1
SYL 1 B // 1 ∇ 420 S 1 1 1 5 STRAWBERRYRunout, B-side, variant 1
SYL 1 A // 1 ∇ 420 S 1 1 5 THE ROBOT STRAWBERRYRunout A, variant 2
SYL 1 B // 1 ∇ 420 S 1 1 3 STRAWBERRYRunout B, variant 2
SYL 121 A // 1 ▽ 420 S 11 4 ·THE ROBOT· STRAWBERRYStamped Side A (THE ROBOT etched)
SYL 121 B // 1 ▽ 420 S 11 4 STRAWBERRYStamped Side B
SYL 121-ALabel Side A
SYL 121-BLabel Side B
A-8197 A-1 Made in Germany 020 JASide A
A-8197 B-1 Made in Germany 020Side B
SYL 1 A//1∇420 S 11 1 2 STRAWBERRYSide A Stamped Runout
SYL 1 B//1∇420 S 11 1 2 STRAWBERRYSide B Stamped Runout
THE ROBOTSide A Etched Runout
SYL-1-ARunout side A
SYL-1-BRunout side B
SYL 1 A // 1 ▽ 420 S 1 1 3 1 THE ROBOT STRAWBERRYRunout side A
SYL 1 B // 1 ▽ 420 S 1 1 2 1 STRAWBERRYRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Arista K 9166 / Arista SYL 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Europe | Arista 105 582 / Arista 105 582-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Sylvan Records 601 003First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | Arista SYL 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Italy | Arista ARS 37106First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Japan | Arista 7RS-93First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Japan | Arista 7RS-93First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Arista 105 582 / Sylvan Records 105 582First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Portugal | Arista 105.282 / Dacapo 105 282First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Arista ARI 8337First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Spain | Arista B-105602First year7" | 7" |
| 1983 | Spain | Arista F-600.836First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Sylvan Records SYL 1 / Arista SYL 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Sylvan Records SYL 121First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Sylvan Records SYLPD 1 / Arista SYLPD 1First year7", 45 RPM, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Africa | Arista AAJ 1159 / Arista SYL 17", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
20 vinyl pressings of The First Picture Of You are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, Australia, Europe, Germany and more. One of them is Sylvan Records SYL 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SYL 1, SYL 121, SYLPD 1, K 9166) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SYL 1 A // 1 ∇ 420 S 1 1 1 3 THE ROBOT STRAWBERRY and SYL 1 B // 1 ∇ 420 S 1 1 1 5 STRAWBERRY. 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.
