Vinyl pressings
by Bananarama · 1987
Wow! 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.
28 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 21 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.
RAMA 4 A // 1 ▽ 420 R 12 1Side A, variant 1
RAMA 4 B // 1 ▽ 420 R 12 1Side B, variant 1
RAMA 4 A [B crossthrough] // 1 ▽ 420-R 11 1 1 [crossthrough]Side A, variant 2
RAMA 4 B [A crossthrough] // 1 ▽ 420 R 1 1 1Side B, variant 2
(stamped, side A): RAMA 4A (B, crossed out) / 1∇420 R 12 1 (R A I N, crossed out)
(stamped, side B): RAMA 4B (A, crossed out) / 1∇420 R 11 3
422-828-061-1-AS- SP1 MASTERDISK HW 1-2 [SRC logo]Side A runout
422-828-061-1-B-S- SP1 MASTERDISK 1-1 [SRC logo]Side B runout
422 828 061-AS Hu BSide One runout, etched
MASTERDISK (underlined with Hw, etched)Side One runout, stamped
422-828 061-1 BS- TV1 Hu BSide Two runout, etched
MASTERDISKSide Two 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Brazil | London Records 828061-1 / London Records 828 061-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Canada | London Records 828 061-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Colombia | London Records 828061-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Ecuador | London Records LP-23001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | London Records 828 061-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Germany | Metronome 828 061-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Germany | Metronome 828 088-1 / Metronome 828 061-1First yearLP, Album, 12", 45 RPM | LP, Album, 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Greece | London Records 828 061-1 / London Records RAMA 4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Greece | London Records 828 061-1 / London Records RAMA 4First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1987 | Israel | London Records 828 061-1 / Phonokol 828 061-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | London Records 828 061-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | London Records L28P 1254First yearLP | LP |
| 1987 | Mexico | London Records 828 061-1 / London Records LPR 54068First yearLP | LP |
| 1987 | Peru | London Records PN-LON-8280611.0First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Philippines | London Records 828 061-1First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | UK & Europe | London Records LMS5521220 / London Records LMS5521210LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo, CD, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo, CD, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | UK | London Records LMS5521220LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
36 vinyl pressings of Wow! are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1987 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is London Records RAMA 4, released September 7, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RAMA 4, RAM G4, 828 061-1, 422-828 061-1 R1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RAMA 4 A // 1 ▽ 420 R 12 1 and RAMA 4 B // 1 ▽ 420 R 12 1. 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.
