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The Secret Policeman's Third Ball (The Music) by Various Artists, album cover

Vinyl pressings

The Secret Policeman's Third Ball (The Music)

by Various Artists · 1987

16 pressings12 countriesAlternative RockPop RockArena RockRock

The Secret Policeman's Third Ball was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.

How to spot a first pressing of The Secret Policeman's Third Ball

14 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 11 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.

US

1987
Label and catalog number
Virgin 1-90643Virgin 7 90643-1
Format
LP, Album, Stereo · Specialty Pressing
Runout / matrix

[SRC logo] ST-VR 876529-A 1-1 PrecisionSide A runout

[SRC logo] ST-VR876530-B 1-1 PrecisionSide B runout

Full details of this pressing

US

1987
Label and catalog number
Virgin 1-90643Virgin 7 90643-1
Format
LP, Album, Stereo · Allied Pressing
Runout / matrix

ST-VR876529-A 1-2 SP-AR Precision △18159 B-20960Etched runout groove, side A

ST-VR876530-B 1-2 B-20961 Precision SP-AR △18159 -XEtched runout groove, side B

[SRC logo]Stamped runout groove, both sides

Full details of this pressing

Japan

December 16, 1987
Label and catalog number
Virgin VJL-28015
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

V2458AA Label

V2458BB Label

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 16 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1980s16 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1987AustralasiaVirgin V2458First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1987CanadaVirgin VL 2458First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1987FranceVirgin 124581First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1987GermanyVirgin 208 608 / Virgin 208 608-630First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1987GreeceVirgin VG 50313First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1987GreeceVirgin VG 50313LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressingLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing
1987ItalyVirgin V 2458First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1987SpainVirgin T 208 608First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1987UKVirgin VS2458First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1987UKVirgin V2458First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1987USVirgin 1-90643 / Virgin 7 90643-1First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1987USVirgin 1-90643 / Virgin 7 90643-1First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1987VenezuelaVirgin VIRGIN-1535First yearLP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1987JapanVirgin VJL-28015First yearLP, Album, Promo · PromoLP, Album, Promo · Promo
1987JapanVirgin VJL-28015First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
All 16 pressings from the 1980s

Tracklist

  1. A1Running Up That Hill4:59
  2. A2Save A Prayer ('Til The Morning After)5:05
  3. A3Voices Of Freedom5:12
  4. A4This Is The World Calling3:28
  5. A5For Everyman4:31
  6. B1Victim Of Love3:59
  7. B2Wouldn't It Be Good4:56
  8. B3(I Love It When You) Call Me Names3:20
  9. B4Imagine2:53
  10. B5Biko9:27

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of The Secret Policeman's Third Ball are there?

16 vinyl pressings of The Secret Policeman's Third Ball are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.

When was The Secret Policeman's Third Ball first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1987, in France, UK, US, Japan and more. One of them is Virgin 124581.

How do I tell if my copy of The Secret Policeman's Third Ball is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 124581, VS2458, V2458, 1-90643) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is The Secret Policeman's Third Ball on vinyl worth?

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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