Vinyl pressings
by Third World · 1985
Sense Of Purpose 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.
16 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
01-26266-1A1 AL 39877-1BA side runout, stamped, [etched: AL 39877-1B], variant 1
01-26266-1B1 AL 39877-1AB side runout, stamped, [etched: AL 39877-1A], variant 1
01-26266-1A-1 AL 39877-1B AA side runout, stamped, [etched: AL 39877-1B], variant
01-26266-1B-1 BL 39877-1A AB side runout, stamped, [etched: BL 39877-1A], variant
CBS-26266-A1 ∴Side A Runout, Etched
CBS-26266-B1Side B Runout, Etched
CBS-26266-A1 ∴Side A Runout, Etched
CBS-26266-B1Side B Runout, Etched
AL-39877-1C MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^) G1 A2Side A runout, variant 1
BL-39877-1F G1 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^) B6Side B runout, variant 1
AL-39877-1C MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^) m (stamped) G1 A4Side A runout, variant 2
BL-39877-1J z (stamped) G1 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^) A-2Side B runout, variant 2
P-2 AL-39877-1B MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^)Side A runout, Variant 1, etched; "MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK" is stamped.
P (A) BL-39877-1C MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^)Side B runout, Variant 1, etched; "MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK" is stamped.
P-2 AL-39877-1B MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^)Side A runout Variant 2, etched; "MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK" is stamped.
P (A) BL-39877-1D MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^)Side B runout Variant 2, etched; "MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK" is stamped.
AL-39877-1C MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^) G1 A2Side A Runout
BL-39877-1F G1 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^) B6Side B Runout
AL-39877-1C MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^) m (stamped) G1 A4Side A Runout variant
BL-39877-1J z (stamped) G1 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^) A-2Side B Runout variant
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 | CBS SBP 8065First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | CBS CBS 26266First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 26266First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 26266LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | CBS 26266First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Jamaica | Sonic Sounds FC 39877 / Jah's Music ProductionsFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 8065First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | South Africa | CBS DNW 3062First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | CBS 26266 / CBS CBS 26266First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | CBS 26266 / CBS CBS 26266First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Columbia FC 39877First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Columbia FC 39877First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Columbia FC 39877First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Columbia FC 39877First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | CBS CBS 26266First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
17 vinyl pressings of Sense Of Purpose are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Europe, UK, US, Canada and more. One of them is CBS CBS 26266.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CBS 26266, 26266, FC 39877, 28AP 3026) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 01-26266-1A1 AL 39877-1B and 01-26266-1B1 AL 39877-1A. 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.
