Vinyl pressings
by Aretha Franklin · 1986
Aretha 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.
18 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 15 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.
AL 8442 SA -RCA2 STERLING ACA ISide A runout, Variant 1
AL 8442 SB RCA2 STERLING A2G ISide B runout, Variant 1
AL 8442 SA -RCA2 I STERLING A1F ISide A runout, Variant 2
AL 8442 SA -RCA2 I STERLING A2B ISide B runout, Variant 2
AL 8442 SA-ES1 STERLINGSide A runout
AL 8442 SB-ES1 STERLINGSide B runout
AL-8442-SASide A label
AL-8442-SBSide B label
LA-697-A . . . . 25-11-86Side A, Handmade
LA-697-B . . . . 25-11-86Side A, Handmade
AL 8442 ASide A
AL 8442 BSide B
SFL0152A AL 8442 ASide A Runouts
SFL1 0152B AL 8442B.Side B Runouts
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 | Australia & New Zealand | Arista SFL1 0152First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | Arista SFL1 0152First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Arista AL-8442First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Arista AL-8442LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Colombia | Arista 28(0131)00011First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Arista 208 020First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | Arista 208 020LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | Greece | Arista VG 60052First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Italy | Arista 208 020First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | Arista 28RS-15First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | Philippines | Arista RTLP-16090 / Arista AL-8442First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Portugal | Arista 280020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | South Africa | Arista ASTC 185First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Spain | Arista I 208020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Arista 208 020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2679 / Arista MOVLP2679LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2679LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Arista 208 883LP, Album | LP, Album |
45 vinyl pressings of Aretha are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1986 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Mexico, Japan and more. One of them is Arista AL-8442, released November 3, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL-8442, 208 020, LA-697, 28RS-15) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 8442 SA -RCA2 STERLING ACA I and AL 8442 SB RCA2 STERLING A2G I. 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.
