Vinyl pressings
by Andrew Lloyd Webber · 1987
The Phantom Of The Opera 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.
16 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 9 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.
MCXS PODV 9 A//1∇420RRunout Area Side A, Variant 1
MCXS PODV 9 B//1∇420RRunout Area Side B, Variant 1
MCXS PODV 9 C//2∇420RRunout Area Side C, Variant 1
MCXS PODV 9 D//1∇420RRunout Area Side D, Variant 1
PODV 9 A // 2∇420 R 13 13[circled] L.18349 ASide A runout, variant 1
PODV 9 B // 1∇420 R 11 11[circled] L.18350 DSide B runout, variant 1
PODV 9 C // 1∇420 R 12 12[circled] L.18351 ESide C runout, variant 1
PODV 9 D // 1∇420 R 12 12[circled] L.18352Side D runout, variant 1
422.831.273.1.AS F/W ¢ EmwA runout etched, "Emw" in script
831.273.1.BS F/W ¢ EmwB runout etched, "Emw" in script
831.273.1.CS F/W ¢ EmwC runout etched, "Emw" in script
831.273.1.DS F/W ¢ EmwD runout etched, "Emw" in script
422-831-273-1-AS-SP 1-1 F/W ¢Side A Runout Etched
422-831-273-1-BS-SP 1-1Side B Runout Etched
422-831-273-1-CS-SP 1-1 F/W ¢Side C Runout Etched
422-831-273-1-DS-SP 1-1Side D Runout Etched
422 · 831 · 273 · 1 · AS \\\\\ F/W ¢ EMWA side runout - variant 1
422·831·273·1·BS EMWB side runout - variant 1
422·831·273·1·CS F/W ¢ EMWC side runout - variant 1
422·831·273·1·DS EMWD side runout - variant 1
[SRC logo] 422.831.273 .1.AS - SP 1-1 F/W ¢Side A
[SRC logo] 422.831.273.1.BS - SP 1-1Side B
[SRC logo] 422.831.273.1.CS - SP 1-1 F/W ¢Side C
[SRC logo] 422.831.273.1.DS - SP 1-1Side D
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 | Australasia | Polydor 831 273-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Canada | Polydor 831 273-1First yearLP | LP |
| 1987 | Canada | Polydor 831 273-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Polydor 831 273-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Germany | Polydor 831 273-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Polydor 831 273-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Greece | Polydor 831273-1 / Polydor PODV9First yearLP, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1987 | Israel | Polydor 831273-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | South Africa | Polydor Phantom 1 / Polydor 831 273 1First yearLP | LP |
| 1987 | Spain | Polydor 831 273-1First yearLP | LP |
| 1987 | US | Polydor 831 273-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Polydor 831 273-1 Y-2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Polydor 831 273-1 Y-2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Polydor 831 273-1 Y-2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Polydor PODV9First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | UK | The Other Songs ALW002VROWLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | US | The Other Songs ALW002VLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
20 vinyl pressings of The Phantom Of The Opera are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1987 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Australasia, Canada and more. One of them is Polydor PODV9, released February 9, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PODV9, 831 273-1, 831 273-1 Y-2, 831273-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCXS PODV 9 A//1∇420R and MCXS PODV 9 B//1∇420R. 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.
