Vinyl pressings
by Bruce Hornsby And The Range · 1986
The Way It Is was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. 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 1986, the album's first year, in 12 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.
PT 49806 A1 JARunout etched side A variant 1
PT 49806 B1Runout etched side B variant 1
PT 49806 A1 JA 17 ɅRunout etched side A variant 2
PT 49806 B1 1 ɅRunout etched side B variant 2
PB.49805.A.1 JA ⋀A-side runout, etched (⋀ is stamped)
PB.49805.B.1 ⋀B-side runout, etched (⋀ is stamped)
PB 49805 A‡A-side label
PB 49805 B‡B-side label
5023-7-R-A-1S Precision Λ 1 IRunout A etched (Λ1 I stamps)
5023 - 7 - R-B- 1S Precision I Λ1Runout B etched (I Λ1 stamps)
IRunouts, stamped
5023-7-R-ALabel A
5023-7-R-A-6S [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] R-16715-6S △14500 Precision 1-1Side A Runout
5023-7-R-B-6S [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] R-16716-6S △14500-X 1-1 PrecisionSide B Runout
5023-7-R-ASide A Label
5023-7-R-BSide B Label
5023-7-R-A-5S · Precision ·Runout, Side A, Etched
5023-7-R-B-5S PrecisionRunout, Side B, Etched
5023-7-R-ALabel Side A
5023-7-R-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | RCA Victor 104596First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | RCA 5023-7-RFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Ireland | RCA PB 49805First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Japan | RCA RPS-223First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | Japan | RCA RPS-223First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Japan | RCA RPS-223First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | New Zealand | RCA 104596First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Philippines | RCA RCS-30012 / RCA PB-14429First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | South Africa | RCA Victor RCAS 7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | Spain | RCA Victor PB 49805First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Spain | RCA Victor PB 49805First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | RCA PT 49806First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | RCA PB 49805First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | RCA PB 49805First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | US | RCA 5023-7-RFirst year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of The Way It Is are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is RCA PT 49806.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PT 49806, PB 49805, 5023-7-R, JR-14429) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PT 49806 A1 JA and PT 49806 B1. 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.
