Vinyl pressings
by Walter Becker · 1983
The Early Years was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 4 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.
ML-1-8101 F-1 #1Side 1 Runout Etched
ML-2-8101 F-1 #1Side 2 Runout Etched
MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally 0Stamped Both Sides ("Wally" Etched)
ML S̶N̶ -1-7̶2̶3̶9̶ 8101 F-1 #1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally 0Side 1 (variant), etched, except "MASTERED BY CAPITOL
POW 3026 - A; POW 3026 - B
6 .25 675 -01 - 1 Ju IRunout side A variant 1
6 .25 675 -01 - 1 Ju IRunout side B variant 1
6 .25 675 -01 - 1 Ju IRunout side A variant 2
6 .25 675 -01 - 2 Ju IRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Powderworks POW3026First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Line Records 6.25675 / Line Records LLP 5337 APFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Aero ML 8101 / Aero ML-8101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Vap 35110-23First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Vap 35110-23First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Passport Records PVC 5908LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Germany | Line Records LILP 4.00070LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Powderworks POW3026LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | PVC Records PVC 5908LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | UK | Thunderbolt THBL 040LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1989 | Italy | Success 2164LPLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of The Early Years are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1983 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Japan, Australia, Germany. One of them is Aero ML 8101.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ML 8101, 35110-23, POW3026, 6.25675) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ML-1-8101 F-1 #1 and ML-2-8101 F-1 #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.
