Vinyl pressings
by Billy Joel · 1983
An Innocent Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 10 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.
P ZSS 171509 1F STERLINGRunout side A [variant 1]
P ZSS 171510 1B STERLINGRunout side B [variant 1]
ZSS 171509 1A STERLING PRunout side A [variant 2]
ZSS 171510 1A STERLING PRunout side B [variant 2]
STERLING G1 ZSS 171509 1CA side runout
STERLING G1 ZSS 171510 1CB side runout
ZSS 171509A side label
ZSS 171510B side label
P ZSS 171509 1A STERLINGBoth runouts, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
P ZSS 171509 1A STERLINGA runout
P ZSS 171509 1E STERLINGB runout
ZSS 171509Labels
Å MX203733 BA3139-1Side A Runout Engraving (Stamped)
Å MX203734 BA3139-2Side B Runout Engraving (Stamped)
MX203733Side A Label
MX203734Side B Label
ZSS-171509 1A2HZ DM6Runout side A
ZSS-171510 1A2HZ DM6Runout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | CBS BA 223139First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Australia | CBS BA 223139First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | Columbia 38 04259First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Costa Rica | CBS 7012799First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Europe | CBS CBSA 4173 / CBS A-4173First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Jamaica | Columbia 38-04259First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 774 / Family Productions 07SP 774First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 774 / Family Productions 07SP 774First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | CBS BA 223139 / Family Productions BA 223139First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | South Africa | CBS SSC 5566First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Spain | CBS CBS A-4173First year7", Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Spain | CBS CBS A 4173 / CBS A-4173First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | US | Columbia 38-04259First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Columbia 38-04259First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | Columbia 38-04259First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia 13-084167", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia 13-084167", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
18 vinyl pressings of An Innocent Man are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica and more. One of them is Columbia 38-04259, released December 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 38-04259, BA 223139, 38 04259, 7012799) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P ZSS 171509 1F STERLING and P ZSS 171510 1B STERLING. 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.
