Vinyl pressings
by The Romantics · 1980
National Breakout was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, 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.
AL 36881-1KSide A Runout - Etched
BL 36881-1A [A, stamped]Side B Runout - Etched
AL.36881-1KSide A Runout - Etched (variant)
BL 36881. 1BSide B Runout - Etched (variant)
T AL 36881-1G STERLINGRunout side A
T1 BL 36881-1C STERLINGRunout side B
AL 36881Label side A
BL 36881Label side B
AL 36881-1ARunout, Etching, Side A
BL 36881-1BRunout, Etching, Side B
STERLING 1S AL 36881-1J A1Runout side A [etched except STERLING stamped]
STERLING 1S BL 36881-1F A5Runout side B [etched except STERLING stamped]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4143 / Nemperor Records ELPS 4143First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | Epic 144444 / Epic 144.444First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Europe | Epic EPC 84716 / Epic JZ 36881First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Epic EPC 84716First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Epic EPC 84716First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Nemperor Records JZ 36881First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Nemperor Records JZ 36881First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Nemperor Records PZ 36881First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Nemperor Records JZ 36881First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Nemperor Records JZ 36881First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Canada | Nemperor Records JZ 36881First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | Epic EPC-84716LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | Nemperor Records 25AP 2807 (NP)LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Japan | Nemperor Records 25AP 2807 (NP)LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
14 vinyl pressings of National Breakout are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1980 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Nemperor Records JZ 36881.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JZ 36881, PZ 36881, EPC 84716, ELPS 4143) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 36881-1K and BL 36881-1A [A, stamped]. 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.
