Vinyl pressings
by Ben E. King · 1987
Save The Last Dance For Me 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.
11 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.
SRC EMI -1- 46904 -Z1 /-/ MASTERDISKRunouts side A, variant 1
SRC EMI -2- 46904 -Z2 /-/ MASTERDISKRunouts side B, variant 1
[SRC logo] E1 E̶M̶I̶-1-46904-Z2 1-2 SPAR MASTERDISK o- △18522 B-29380Runouts side A, variant 2
[SRC logo] E1 E̶M̶I̶-2-46904-Z1̸2 1-2 SPAR MASTERDISK B-29381 -Z2 △18522-X o-Runouts side B, variant 2
7469041-A1Runout side A
7469041-B1Runout side B
MAN 746904 ASide 1
MAN 746904 BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | Manhattan Records MAN 746904First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Manhattan Records E1-46904First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Italy | Manhattan Records 7469041First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Italy | Manhattan Records 64-7469041First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | Manhattan Records RP28-5505First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | Manhattan Records RP28-5505First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | South Africa | Manhattan Records ST(Y) 7469041First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | Manhattan Records 064-7469041First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | EMI-Manhattan Records MTL 1013 / EMI-Manhattan Records 74 6904 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Manhattan Records E1-46904First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI-Manhattan Records 1C 064 7 46904 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of Save The Last Dance For Me are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is Manhattan Records E1-46904.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use E1-46904, MTL 1013, 1C 064 7 46904 1, MAN 746904) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRC EMI -1- 46904 -Z1 /-/ MASTERDISK and SRC EMI -2- 46904 -Z2 /-/ MASTERDISK. 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.
