Vinyl pressings
by Black · 1987
Wonderful Life 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.
23 pressings came out in 1987, 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.
AM 402 A // 1 ▽ 420 C TY1 1 5Variant 1 runout, A-side
AM 402 B // 1 ▽ 420 C 1 TY1Variant 1 runout, B-side
AM 402 A // 1 ▽ 420 C 1 TY1 1 2 11Variant 2 runout, A-side
AM 402 B // 1 ▽ 420 C 12 13 TY1Variant 2 runout, B-side
AM 402 A // 1∇420 CRunout side A stamped
AM 402 B // 1∇420 CRunout side A stamped
AM 402 A // 1 ▽420 C Λ1 1 1Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
AM 402 B // 1 ▽420 C 1 1 ▪ . 1 ΛRunout side B, stamped, variant 1
AM 402 A //1 ▽420 C TY1Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
AM 402 B // 1 ▽420 C TY1Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
AM 402 A // 1 ▽ 420 C TY1 1 5Runout side A, stamped
AM 402 B // 1 ▽ 420 C 1 TY1Runout side B, stamped
AM 402 A // 1 ▽420 C Λ1 1 1Runout Side A [Stamped]
AM 402 B // 1 ▽420 C 1 1 ▪ . 1 ΛRunout Side B [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 | Australia | A&M Records K-436 / A&M Records K 436First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1987 | Australia | A&M Records K-436 / A&M Records AM 2969First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Numbered, Promo · Promo, Numbered | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Numbered, Promo · Promo, Numbered |
| 1987 | Australia | A&M Records K-436First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | A&M Records AM-2969First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | A&M Records 390 235-7 / A&M Records 390235-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | A&M Records 390235-7 / A&M Records 390 235-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | A&M Records 390235-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | A&M Records 390 235-7 / A&M Records 390235-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | A&M Records 392 235-1 / A&M Records 392235-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Italy | A&M Records 390 235-7 / A&M Records 390235-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Portugal | A&M Records 390 235-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | South Africa | A&M Records AMRS 1540First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Spain | A&M Records 392235-1 / A&M Records 392 235-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Spain | A&M Records 390 235-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | A&M Records AM 402 / A&M Records Am 402First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | UK | A&M Records 580 554-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Romania | Not On Label (Black (2)) ACT00112", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label S 10797", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
28 vinyl pressings of Wonderful Life are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1987 and 2011.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records AM 402.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AM 402, Amy 402, Am 2969, AM-2969) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AM 402 A // 1 ▽ 420 C TY1 1 5 and AM 402 B // 1 ▽ 420 C 1 TY1. 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.
