Vinyl pressings
by Various Artists · 1982
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
32 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 20 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.
ILPS-1-9698-WW4 ━◁ STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
ILPS-2-9698-WW2 ━◁ ☆ STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
ILPS-1-9698-WW6 #2 ━◁ STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
ILPS-2-9698-WW6 #3 ━◁ STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
ILPS-1-9698-TW3Side A Runout
ILPS-2-9698-TW2Side B Runout
TI ILPS-1-9698-TH2 ✩ STERLINGEtched side A, except STERLING stamped, variant 1
T\ ILPS-2-9698-TH1 ✩ STERLINGEtched side B, except STERLING stamped, variant 1
TI ILPS-1-9698-TH1 STERLINGEtched side A, except STERLING stamped, variant 2
TI ILPS-2-9698-TH1 ✩ STERLING 1BEtched side B, except STERLING stamped, variant 2
ILPS-1-9698-LW6 ✲ STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
ILPS-2-9698-LW1 ✲ STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
ILPS-1-9698-LW7 ✲ STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
ILPS-1-9698-LW2 ✲ STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
ILPS-1-9698-JW-4Side A runout, variant 1
ILPS-2-9698-JW-2Side B runout, variant 1
ILPS-1-9698-JW3 #1 STERLING 0Side A runout, variant 2
ILPS-2-9698-JW1 #2 ☆ STERLING 0Side B runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Argentina | RCA/Ariola TLP-60227First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Argentina | Island Records SUP 80.195First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Australia | Island Records L 37769 / Springtime L 37769First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Island Records XILP 9698First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Island Records XILP 9698First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Island Records 204 368-320 / Springtime 204 368-320First yearLP | LP |
| 1982 | Europe | Island Records 204 368 / Island Records 204 368-320First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1982 | France | Springtime 6313 297 / Island Records 6313 297First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Greece | Island Records 14C 062-64738First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | Island Records 6004LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Guatemala | Island Records ILP-108 / Springtime ILP-108First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1982 | Israel | Island Records BAN 126004 / Springtime BAN 126004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Italy | Island Records HAHA 6004 / Springtime HAHA 6004First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Japan | Island Records 25S-50 / Polystar 25S-50First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | Island Records 25S-50 / Polystar 25S-50First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISL 9698 / Springtime ISL 9698LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISL 9698 / Springtime ISL 9698LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Colombia | Ariola 18 (0831) 00191LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Italy | Island Records HAHA 6004LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | Island Records L 37769LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | Island Records I-204.368LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
43 vinyl pressings of The Secret Policeman's Other Ball are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1982 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Mexico, Argentina and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9698.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9698, ILPS9698, HAHA 6004, LA-453) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS-1-9698-WW4 ━◁ STERLING and ILPS-2-9698-WW2 ━◁ ☆ STERLING. 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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