Vinyl pressings
by Chris de Burgh · 1986
Into The Light 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.
33 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 21 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.
AMA 5121 A // 1 ∇ 420 C tim tomA side runout, stamped/etched. Variant 1
AMA 5121 B // 1 ∇ 420 C TYB side runout, stamped/etched. Variant 1
AMA 5121 A // 1 ∇ 420 C tim tom 1 9 TTA side runout, stamped/etched. Variant 2
AMA 5121 B // 1 ∇ 420 C TY 1 6 7B side runout, stamped/etched. Variant 2
SP-05121 A RCA1
SP-05121 B RCA1
SP-05121 A RCA1 A1ASide A runout, variant 1
SP-05121 B RCA1 A A CESide B runout, variant 1
SP-05121 A RCA1 Ⓟ I A1CSide A runout, variant 2
SP-05121 B RCA1 Ⓟ I A2ESide B runout, variant 2
SP 05121 A17 ES-1Side A runout (etched), variant 1
SP 05121 B11 EX-2 1Side B runout (etched), variant 1
SP-05121 A11 ES-1 ℗ Carl EMWSide A runout, variant 2
SP-05121 B11 ES-2 ℗ Carl EMWSide B runout, variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Argentina | A&M Records 395121-1 / A&M Records 27333First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Australia | A&M Records RML 53224LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | Australia | A&M Records L 38587 / A&M Records L-38587First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Brazil | A&M Records 395121-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | A&M Records SP-5121 / A&M Records SP 5121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | A&M Records SP-5121 / A&M Records SP 5121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | A&M Records SP 5121First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1986 | Canada | A&M Records SP 5121 / A&M Records SPC-5121LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Canada | A&M Records SP-5121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | France | A&M Records 395 121-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | A&M Records LP395121-1 / A&M Records 395 121-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Germany | A&M Records 395121-1 / A&M Records 395 121-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | A&M Records 32 413-7LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Germany | A&M Records 396 928-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Germany | A&M Records 13 069-0 / A&M Records 13 069 0LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Poland | Polskie Nagrania Muza SX 2973LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1993 | Belarus | Beloton RGM 7106LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Poland | Polskie Nagrania Muza SX 2973 / A&M RecordsLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Taiwan | 齊飛實業有限公司 SF-2035LP, Album | LP, Album |
48 vinyl pressings of Into The Light are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1986 and 1993.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is A&M Records AMA 5121.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMA 5121, SP 5121, R-144404, C28Y3026) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMA 5121 A // 1 ∇ 420 C tim tom and AMA 5121 B // 1 ∇ 420 C TY. 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.
