Vinyl pressings
by Atlantic Starr · 1987
Always 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.
30 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 14 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.
SRC 7-28455-A-SR2 ☯ |-/Runout side A, Variant 1
SRC 7-28455 - RE1 - B-SR1 ~ ~ | - |Runout side B, Variant 1
SRC 7-28455-A-SR1 ❀ 1-2Runout side A, Variant 2
SRC 7-28455 - RE1 - B-SR1 ~ ~ | - |Runout side B, Variant 2
0- 20660-A SH1 ❀ {ARC "balloon" symbol} B-26895-SH1 Δ 15933 1-1Etched Side A
0-20660-B SH1 ︵︵︵︵ {bird symbols} {ARC "balloon" symbol} B-26896-SH1 Δ 15933-X 1-1Etched Side B
7-28455-A SH2 ❀ ɑ R-17132 - SH2 △15336 1-1A-Side Runout
7-28455-RE1-B-SH3 ɑ R-17133-Re1-SH3 1-1 △15336-XB-Side Runout
7-28455-AA-Side Label
7-28455-BB-Side Label
[SRC Logo] 0-20660-A SR1 ❀ I - IRunout, side A, etched
[SRC Logo] 0-20660-B SR1 I - IRunout, side B, etched
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 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 7-28455First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 84557First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 84557First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 84557First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 920 660-0First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 928 455-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Ireland | Warner Bros. Records W 8455First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Jamaica | Warner Bros. Records 7-28455First year7" | 7" |
| 1987 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-2227First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-2227First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Panama | Warner Bros. Records 7-28455First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records WB-77-573First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Portugal | Warner Bros. Records 1591987First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBS 523First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 928 455-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
30 vinyl pressings of Always are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 7-28455, released February 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-28455, 0-20660, PRO-S-2663, W 8455) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRC 7-28455-A-SR2 ☯ |-/ and SRC 7-28455 - RE1 - B-SR1 ~ ~ | - |. 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.
