Vinyl pressings
by Y & T · 1987
Contagious 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.
14 pressings came out in 1987, 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.
GHS-24142-A-SH2 1-1 ▲16382 Q B-27337-SH2Side A, Etched
GHS-24142-B-SH3 1-1 ▲16382-X Q B-27338-SH3Side B, Etched
Ω [Incircled with dot in middle]Sides A & B, Etched Artisan logo
GHS-24142-A-SH1 B-27337-SHI 16382Side A Runout
GHS-24142-B-SH1 B-27338-SHI 16382-XSide B Runout
GHS-24142-A-SH1 1-1 ▲16382 Q B-27337-SH1Side A, Etched
GHS-24142-B-SH1 1-1 ▲16382-X Q B-27338-SH1Side B, Etched
Ω [Incircled with dot in middle]Sides A & B, Etched Artisan logo
GHS-24142-A-SR1 [Artisan logo] 1-1Side A, Etched
GHS-24142-B-SR1 [Artisan logo] 1-1Side B, Etched
[SRC logo]Sides A & B, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | Geffen Records 80646 / Wea Discos S.r.l. 80646First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australia | Geffen Records 24142-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Bolivia | WEA WL-1015First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 24142First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Geffen Records GHS 24142LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Europe | Geffen Records 924 142-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | Geffen Records 924 142-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | Geffen Records 924 142-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | Geffen Records P-13528First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | Geffen Records P-13528First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | South Korea | Geffen Records GHS 24142First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24142First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24142First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24142LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24142First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
17 vinyl pressings of Contagious are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia and more. One of them is Geffen Records GHS 24142.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GHS 24142, 80646, 24142-1, WL-1015) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GHS-24142-A-SH2 1-1 ▲16382 Q B-27337-SH2 and GHS-24142-B-SH3 1-1 ▲16382-X Q B-27338-SH3. 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.
