Vinyl pressings
by The Untouchables · 1985
I Spy For The F.B.I. was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 7 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.
BUY 227 A-1U-1-2-1 GRAEMEVariant 1: Runout A
BUY 227 B-1U-1-1-3Variant 1: Runout B
BUY 227 A-2U-1- 1⋅⋅1 JONZVariant 2: Runout A
BUY 227 B-1U-1- 1⋅⋅CVariant 2: Runout B
BUYIT 227 A-1U-1-1••1 GRAEMESide A runout, stamped; GRAEME etched
BUYIT 227 B-1U-1-1•0Side B runout, stamped
PBUY 227 A . ORLAKE .Run-out Side A
PBUY 227 B . ORLAKE .Run-out Side B
MC-18437-ASR-3Hand Etched Runout (Both Sides)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Stiff Records K-9904First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Stiff Records 107 616First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | France | Stiff Records 107.727First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.20476 / Stiff Records 6.20476 AEFirst year12", Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl | 12", Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1985 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.14436First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Germany | Stiff Records BUY 227 / Stiff Records 6.14436 ACFirst year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Stiff Records K 9904First year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 227First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | Stiff Records BUY IT 227 / Stiff Records BUYIT 227First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Stiff Records PBUY 227First year7", Single, Shape, Picture Disc, 45 RPM · Picture disc | 7", Single, Shape, Picture Disc, 45 RPM · Picture disc |
| 1985 | UK | Stiff Records BUY DJ 2277", Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-52725 / Stiff RecordsFirst year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-52725First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of I Spy For The F.B.I. are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Stiff Records BUY 227.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUY 227, BUY IT 227, PBUY 227, MCA-52725) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUY 227 A-1U-1-2-1 GRAEME and BUY 227 B-1U-1-1-3. 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.
