Vinyl pressings
by The Romantics · 1981
Strictly Personal 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.
9 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 4 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-37435-1G o P ARunout side A, variant 1
o BL-37435-1B STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
AL 37435-1J STERLING P oRunout side A, variant 3
BL-37435-1B STERLING B P oRunout side B, variant 3
AL37435-1H STERLING 1 TSide A runout
BL-37435-1B STERLING o T 1Side B runout
AL 37435-1J STERLING P 0Side A, variant 1
BL 37435-1B STERLING P 0Side B, variant 1
AL-37435-1E STERLING A 2 A 5Side A runout
BL-37435-1E STERLING A 3 A5Side B runout
AL 37435Side A label
BL 37435Side B label
1S AL-37435-1E o STERLING A2Side A runout
1S BL-37435-1E o STERLING A5Side B runout
AL 37435Side A label
BL 37435Side B label
| T AL 37435-IH STERLINGRunout side A
o T | BL-37435-1D STERLINGRunout side B
AL 37435Side A label
BL 37435Side B label
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 | Europe | Epic EPC 85271First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Epic EPC 85271 / Nemperor Records EPC 85271First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Nemperor Records ARZ 37435First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Nemperor Records PZ 37435First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Nemperor Records ARZ 37435First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Nemperor Records ARZ 37435First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Nemperor Records ARZ 37435 / Nemperor Records 37435First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Nemperor Records ARZ 37435First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Nemperor Records FZ 37435First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | Nemperor Records 25AP 2808 (NP)LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | Nemperor Records 25AP 2808 (NP)LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of Strictly Personal are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1981 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Canada, Europe, Spain. One of them is Nemperor Records ARZ 37435.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ARZ 37435, PZ 37435, FZ 37435, EPC 85271) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-37435-1G o P A and o BL-37435-1B STERLING. 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.
