Vinyl pressings
by Various Artists · 1980
The Secret Policeman's Ball - The Music was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, the album's first year, in 8 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.
C1 12WIP 6598 A-3U 3 1Side A, stamped
A PORKY PRIME CUT THE TRIANGLE HAD A POINTSide A, etched
1 12 WIP 6598 B-1U 3 4Side B, stamped
A PORKY PRIME CUT DODGE ALL MENACES!Side B, etched
12WIP 6598 A-3U 4 1Variant 1 - Side A - Printed
A PORKY PRIME CUT THE TRIANGLE HAD A POINTVariant 1 - Side A - Etched
12 WIP 6598 B-1U 8 1Variant 1 - Side B - Printed
A PORKY PRIME CUT DODGE ALL MENACES!Variant 1 - Side B - Etched
C1 12WIP 6598 A-3U 3 6 A PORKY PRIME CUT THE TRIANGLE HAD A POINTSide A runout, variant 1
1 12 WIP 6598 B-1U 3 8 A PORKY PRIME CUT DODGE ALL MENACES!Side B runout, variant 1
C1 12WIP 6598 A-3U 3 8 A PORKY PRIME CUT THE TRIANGLE HAD A POINTSide A runout, variant 2
1 12 WIP 6598 B-1U 4 0 A PORKY PRIME CUT DODGE ALL MENACES!Side B runout, variant 2
ILPS-2-9630-LW4Side One, PS scratched out, variant 1
ILPS-2-9630-LW4Side Two, PS scratched out, variant 1
IL-1-9630-LW3 2 * STERLING B15677Side One, Variant 2
IL-2-9630-LW6 1 *B-15678 STERLINGSide Two, Variant 2
STERLING 315677 IL-1-9630-LW3Runout A variant 1
STERLING IL-2-9630-LW6 3-15678Runout B variant 1
ILP̶S̶-1-9630-LW3 • 2 ✲ STERLING B 15677Runout A variant 2
ILP̶S̶-2-9630-LW6 • 1 ✲ B 15678 STERLINGRunout B variant 2
ILP̶S̶-1-9630-WW1 #2 · ─◁ STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
ILP̶S̶-2-9630-WW1 #2 · ─◁ ✩ STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
ILP̶S̶-1-9630-WW1 #4 · ─◁ STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
ILP̶S̶-2-9630-WW1 #4 · ─◁ ✩ STERLINGRunout side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Island Records L-37426First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Island Records L-37426First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1980 | Benelux | Island Records 600228 / Island Records 600.228First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Island Records IL 9630First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Island Records 600228First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Island Records WIPX 842First yearLP, Album, Mixed, Stereo | LP, Album, Mixed, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Island Records L-37426First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Island Records 12WIP 6598 / Island Records 12 WIP 6598First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Island Records 12WIP 6598First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Island Records 12WIP 6598 / Island Records 801 893-213First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Island Records IL 9630First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Island Records IL-9630First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Island Records IL 9630First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Island Records IL 9630First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Island Records IL 9630LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Island Records 202 904LP, Album | LP, Album |
17 vinyl pressings of The Secret Policeman's Ball - The Music are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1980 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Australia, Benelux and more. One of them is Island Records 12WIP 6598.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12WIP 6598, IL 9630, IL-9630, L-37426) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, C1 12WIP 6598 A-3U 3 1 and A PORKY PRIME CUT THE TRIANGLE HAD A POINT. 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.
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