Vinyl pressings
by The Police · 1981
Spirits In The Material World 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.
31 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 16 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.
AMS 8194 A-5 NS A 2Runout, side A, Variant 1
AMS-8194-B3 TOWNHOUSE A 5Runout, side B, Variant 1
AMS 8194 A-3 NS CRunout, side A, Variant 2
AMS.8194-B1 TOWN HOUSE CRunout, side B, Variant 2
AMS 8194 A-2 NSRunout side A, variant 1
AMS-8194-B3 TOWN HOUSERunout side B, variant 1
AMS 8194 A-2Runout side A, handwritten, variant 2
AMS 8194-B2 TOWN HOUSERunout side B, handwritten, stamped, variant 2
AMS 8194 A10 A STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
AMS · 8194·B1 · TOWN HOUSE ARunout side B, variant 1
AMS 8194 A12 A STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
AMS ·8194-B2 TOWN HOUSE 2DRunout side B, variant 2
AMS 8194-ASide A
AMS 8194-BSide B
AMS 8194 A-7 NS 2 D STERLINGRunout, side A
AMS-8194-B2 TOWNHOUSE 5 D TOWNHOUSERunout, side B
AMS 8194-A
AMS 8194-B
AMS 8194 A-2 NS ⋀Side A runout, etched/stamped
AMS-8194-B1 TOWNHOUSE ⋀Side B runout, etched/stamped
AMS 8194-ALabel, side A
AMS 8194-BLabel, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | A&M Records 23.292First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Argentina | A&M Records 23.292First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | A&M Records K-8647 / A&M Records AMS 8194First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Bolivia | A&M Records 30397First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Brazil | A&M Records 47.040 / A&M Records 47040First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | A&M Records AM 560First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 9186First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | A&M Records AMS 9186First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | A&M Records AMS 8194First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | A&M Records AMS 8194First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-740First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-740 / A&M Records AM-2390First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Mexico | A&M Records 42038First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | A&M Records K 8647First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Peru | A&M Records CSR 1192First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
37 vinyl pressings of Spirits In The Material World are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records AMS 8194, released December 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMS 8194, 2390-S, SP-17182, 23.292) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMS 8194 A-5 NS A 2 and AMS-8194-B3 TOWNHOUSE A 5. 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.
