Vinyl pressings
by Tina Turner · 1984
Help was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
006-2000597 A/54059-1YRunout side A
006-2000597 B/54060-1YRunout side B
1A 006-2000597 ALabel side A
1A 006-2000597 BLabel side B
12 CL 325 A-1-1-1-4 NICKZ PenthouseRunout A, variant 1
12 CL 325 B-1-1-1-Runout B, variant 1
12 CL 325 A-1-1-214 NICKZ PenthouseRunout A, stamped [final "1" sideways, "NICKZ" etched], variant 2
12 CL 325 B-1-1-213Runout B, stamped [final "1" sideways], variant 2
CL 325 A-2-1-1-1 NICKZ PenthouseRunout, A-side, stamped and etched
CL 325 B-2-1-1-7Runout, B-side, stamped
CL 325ASide A label
CL 325BSide B label
CLP-325-A ORLAKEA-Side
CLP-325-B ORLAKEB-Side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C 052 200059ZFirst year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C 006 200059First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Europe | Capitol Records 1A K052 2000596First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C K 062 2000596First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 006 2000597 / Capitol Records 1C 016 2000597First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Capitol Records 20005977", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Ireland | Capitol Records CL 325First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Capitol Records 1A 006-2000597First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Capitol Records CLP 325First year7", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Single · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Single · Picture disc |
| 1984 | UK | Capitol Records 12 CL 325 / Capitol Records 12CL 325First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Capitol Records CL 325First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
11 vinyl pressings of Help are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Netherlands, UK, Brazil, Europe and more. One of them is Capitol Records 1A 006-2000597.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1A 006-2000597, 12 CL 325, CL 325, CLP 325) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 006-2000597 A/54059-1Y and 006-2000597 B/54060-1Y. 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.
