Vinyl pressings
by Anita Baker · 1986
Rapture was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 16 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.
STE-60444-A-1 [SRC logo] 1-1 SM1-3Variant 1, Side A runout
STE-60444-B-1 1-1 [SRC logo]Variant 1, Side B runout
STE-60444-A-1 [SRC logo] 1-1 SM1-2Variant 2, Side A runout
STE-60444-B-1 1-1 SM1-2 [SRC logo]Variant 2, Side B runout
STE-60444-A-1 [SRC logo] 1-2 SPAR 0-SMI-1 Δ11840 B-22846Runout, Etched, Side One
STE-60444-B-1 1-2 SPAR [SRC logo] Δ11840-X 0-SMI-1 B-22847Runout, Etched, Side Two
ST-E-60444-1-A-ARLabel, Side One
ST-E-60444-1-B-ARLabel, Side Two
ST-E-60444-1 96-04441-A 1A2HZ DM-11Side A Runout Variant 1
96-04441-B 1A2HZ ST-E 60444-1 DM-9Side B Runout Variant 1
ST-E-60444-1 96-04441-A 1A2HZ DM-5Side A Runout Variant 2
96-04441-B 1A2HZ ST-E 60444-1 DM-14Side B Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Argentina | WEA 80007First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Australia | Elektra 60444-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Elektra E1 60444 / Elektra 546481LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Canada | Elektra 96 04441First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Elektra 96 04441First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | Elektra 960444-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | Elektra 9 60444-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1986 | Ireland | Elektra EKT 37First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Israel | Elektra BAN 960444-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Italy | Elektra 96 0444-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Jamaica | Elektra 9 60444-1 / Elektra 60444-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | Elektra P-13330First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | Elektra P-13330First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Elektra 60444-1 / Elektra 604441First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Philippines | Elektra 60444-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP809 / Elektra MOVLP809LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Europe | Elektra R1 6044 / Elektra 081227811778LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2025 | US | Elektra R1 6044 / Elektra 081227811778LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Greece | Elektra 960444-1LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Elektra 9 E1-60444 / Elektra E1 60444LP, Album, Club Edition, Repress · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Repress · Club edition |
39 vinyl pressings of Rapture are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1986 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, Argentina, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Elektra 9 60444-1, released March 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9 60444-1, 60444-1, 80007, 96 04441) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STE-60444-A-1 [SRC logo] 1-1 SM1-3 and STE-60444-B-1 1-1 [SRC logo]. 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.
