Vinyl pressings
by Bill Wolfer · 1982
Papa Was A Rollin' Stone was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 7 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.
7-69849-AS-4-SHAR [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-10439-AS4 0-1SM1-2 + SLM △3232 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A.,CALIF. CB.A-side runout etching
7-69849-BS-4-SHAR [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-10168-BS2 SP MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A.,CALIF. CB. 0-1SM1-2 + SLM △2878-XB-side runout etching
7-69849-AA-side label
7-69849-BB-side label
7-69849-AS-4-SHAR [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] R-10438-AM3Mono side runout
7-69849-AM-3-SHAR [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] R-10439-AS4Stereo side runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Solar 7-69849First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Benelux | Constellation 96.9849-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | France | Constellation 96 9849-0First year12" | 12" |
| 1982 | France | Constellation 96 9849-7First year7" | 7" |
| 1982 | Germany | Constellation 96.7952-0First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1982 | Germany | Constellation 96. 9849-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Constellation 96.7952-0 / Constellation 96. 7952-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1982 | UK | Solar E 9849 T / Solar 967951-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Solar E 9849First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | US | Constellation 0-69849First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1982 | US | Constellation 7-69849First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Constellation 7-69849First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1982 | US | Constellation 7-69849First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Constellation 7-69849First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Constellation 7-69849First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
16 vinyl pressings of Papa Was A Rollin' Stone are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1982 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Australia, Benelux and more. One of them is Constellation 7-69849.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-69849, 0-69849, E 9849 T, E 9849) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7-69849-AS-4-SHAR [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-10439-AS4 0-1SM1-2 + SLM △3232 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A.,CALIF. CB. and 7-69849-BS-4-SHAR [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-10168-BS2 SP MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A.,CALIF. CB. 0-1SM1-2 + SLM △2878-X. 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.
