Vinyl pressings
by Tim Curry · 1978
Read My Lips was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
Side A (Stamped): AMLH19-64717-1A-1 MASTERDISC (Edged): SP-5171-INT3 23C11 HOLLAND
Side B (Stamped): AMLH 19-64717-1B-1 MASTERDISC (Edged): SP-5172-INT3 23C11-X HOLLAND
Side A (Stamped): AMLH19-64717-1A-1 MASTERDISC (Edged): SP-5171-INT3 23C11 HOLLAND
Side B (Stamped): AMLH 19-64717-1B-1 MASTERDISC (Edged): SP-5172-INT3 23C11-X HOLLAND
AMLH 64717 A1 SP-5171-INT (I) MASTERDISK RL V △23611 31 2Runout side A
AMLH 64717 B1 SP-5172-INT-I V △23611-X 31 3Runout side B
AMLH 64717 A1 SP-5171-INT (I) MASTERDISK RL V △23611 31 2Runout side A
AMLH 64717 B1 SP-5172-INT-I V △23611-X 31 2Runout side B
SP-5171-P3 MASTERDISK RLSide 1 Etched Masterdisk Stamped, variant 1
SP-5172-P-4 MASTERDISK RLSide 2 Etched Masterdisk Stamped, variant 1
SP-5171-P1 MASTERDISK RL A 3Side 1 Etched Masterdisk Stamped, variant 2
SP-5172-P2 MASTERDISK RL BSide 2 Etched Masterdisk Stamped, variant 2
T SP 5171 T-1 MASTERDISK RLSide A
T SP 5172 T-4 MASTERDISK RLSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | A&M Records L36714First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4717First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | A&M Records SP- 69847First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4717First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4717First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64717First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64717First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Israel | A&M Records AMLH 64717First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | South Africa | A&M Records AMLH 64717First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64717First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | A&M Records △23611First yearLP, White Label | LP, White Label |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP-4717First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP-4717First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP-4717First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP-4717LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
15 vinyl pressings of Read My Lips are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Europe, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records AMLH 64717.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMLH 64717, △23611, SP-4717, L36714) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Side A (Stamped): AMLH19-64717-1A-1 MASTERDISC (Edged): SP-5171-INT3 23C11 HOLLAND and Side B (Stamped): AMLH 19-64717-1B-1 MASTERDISC (Edged): SP-5172-INT3 23C11-X HOLLAND. 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.
