Vinyl pressings
by Alice Cooper · 1989
Poison was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 7 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.
655 061 7 A1Run-out Side A, variant 1
655 061 7 B1Run-out Side B, variant 1
655 061 7 A1 C 1 1Run-out Side A, variant 2
655 061 7 B1 C 1 2Run-out Side B, variant 2
6550618 A2 5 CSide A - Etched
6550618 B1 8 ASide B - Etched
655061.9 A1 ⋀Side A runout
655061.9 B1 ⋀Side B runout
655061 9 A✩Side A label
655061 9 B✩Side B label
655 061-7-A1 A 3Runout A-side
655 061 7 B1 A 0Runout B-side
655061 7 A*Label A-side
655061 7 B*Label B-side
655 061-7-A1 A 3Runout A-side, variant 1
655 061 7 B1 A 0Runout B-side, variant 1
655 061-7-A1 A 3Runout A-side, variant 2
655 061 7 B1 A 0 1Runout B-side, variant 2
655 061-7-A1Side A runout - etched
V 1Side A runout - stamped
655 061 7 B1Side B runout - etched
V 3Side B runout - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | Epic 655061 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | Epic 655061 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Epic 655061 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | Ireland | Epic 655061 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Mexico | CBS PR-95077First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Spain | Epic ARIE 2210First year7", Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Spain | Epic EPC 655061 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | UK | Epic 655061 8First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | Epic 655061 9First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | Epic 655061 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | Epic 655061 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | Epic 655061 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | US | Epic 34-68958First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | US | Epic EAS 1663First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | US | Epic 34-68958First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
16 vinyl pressings of Poison are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, US, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Epic 655061 7, released July 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 655061 7, 655061 8, 655061 9, 34-68958) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 655 061 7 A1 and 655 061 7 B1. 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.
