Vinyl pressings
by Toni Childs · 1988
Union was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 16 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.
△19862 2-1 SP65175-A SH1 DMM Precision Cheryl & Sebastian NO WAR TOYSRunout A, variant 1
SP0-5175 B SH1 DMM Precision Thank you David △19862-X 2-1Runout B, variant 1
△19862 2-2̶ 4 SP6-5175 A SH1 DMM PRECISION CHERYL & SEBASTIAN NO WAR TOYSRunout A, variant 2
SP0 5175 B SH1 DMM PRECISION △19862-X THANK YOU DAVIDRunout B, variant 2
△19862 2-1 SP6 5175 A SHI DMM Precision Cheryl & Sabastian, NO WAR TOYSSide A runout, variant 1
△19862 -X SPO 5175 B 3-2 SHI DMM Precision Thank you DavidSide B runout, variant 1
△19862 2-1 SP6 5175 A SHI DMM Precision Cheryl & Sabastian, NO WAR TOYSSide A runout, variant 2
△19862 -X SPO 5175 B 3-3 SHI DMM Precision Thank you DavidSide B runout, variant 2
AMA 5175 A-1U-1-I (stamped) DB. TAPEONE (etched)Runout, Side A
AMA 5175 B-1U-1-I(stamped) DB. TAPEONE (etched)Runout, Side B
AMA 5175-ALabel, Side A
AMA 5175-BLabel, Side B
220329 A 161188Runout A
220329 B 161188Runout B
DMX-70227 W2D 3 "DESILILISEDSide A Etched
DMX-70228 SRA (scratched out) W2D 2Side B Etched
DMX-70227 WRA4 (4 etched with a loop on the corner)Side A runout (stamped)
DMX-70228 WRA5Side B runout (etched)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | A&M Records TVL 93284 / A&M Records RML 53284First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Australia | A&M Records TVL 93284First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1988 | Brazil | A&M Records 395175-1 / PolyGram 395175-1First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | Canada | A&M Records SP-5175First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | A&M Records SP-5175First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | A&M Records 395175-1 / A&M Records 395 175-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | A&M Records 395 175-1 / A&M Records 395175-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | A&M Records 395175-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Japan | A&M Records C28Y3250First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Mexico | A&M Records LPR 73059First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Mexico | A&M Records LPR-73059First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | New Zealand | A&M Records TVL 93284 / A&M Records RML 53284First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Portugal | A&M Records 395175-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | South Africa | A&M Records AMLH 65175First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | A&M Records 395 175-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | US | A&M Records SP6-5175 / Classic Records SP6-5175LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2003 | US | A&M Records SP6-5175 / Classic Records SP6-5175LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2009 | US | A&M Records SP6-5175 / Classic Records SP 5175-200GLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia & New Zealand | A&M Records L 38937 / Festival Records L 38937LP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| ? | US | Classic Records 5175-45CTSLP, 45 RPM, Single Sided, Numbered, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Numbered | LP, 45 RPM, Single Sided, Numbered, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Numbered |
27 vinyl pressings of Union are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1988 and 2009.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, Australia & New Zealand, Yugoslavia and more. One of them is A&M Records SP6-5175.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP6-5175, SP-5175, AMA 5175, L 38937) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, △19862 2-1 SP65175-A SH1 DMM Precision Cheryl & Sebastian NO WAR TOYS and SP0-5175 B SH1 DMM Precision Thank you David △19862-X 2-1. 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.
