Vinyl pressings
by Corey Hart · 1985
Boy In The Box was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 19 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.
AQR-539-A MASTERDISK BKSide A runout variant 1
AQR-539-B MASTERDISK BK DM 13Side B runout variant 1
AQR•539•A MASTERDISK BKSide A runout variant 2
AQR•539•B MASTERDISK BK DM-9Side B runout variant 2
ST-1-17161-Z4=4 MASTERDISKSide A runout, variant 1
ST-2-17161-Z2#2 MASTERDISKSide B runout, variant 1
ST-1-17161-Z4=4 MASTERDISK 0Side A runout, variant 3
ST-2-17161-Z2#3 MASTERDISK 0Side B runout, variant 3
ST∙1∙17161∙Z2 #4 MASTERDISK∙BK 0Side A runout, variant 1
ST-2-17161-Z1 #2 MASTERDISK 0Side B runout, variant 1
ST-1-17161-Z1#1 MASTERDISK BK 0Side A runout, variant 2
ST-2-17161-Z2#1 MASTERDISK 0Side B runout, variant 2
EJ 2403681 A-1-1-1 - NICKZRunout, A-side, Variant 1
EJ 2403681 B-1-1-1 - NICKZRunout, B-side, Variant 1
EJ 2403681 A-1-1-1-1 NICKZ DRunout, A-side, Variant 2
EJ 2403681 B-1-1-1-1 NICKZ DRunout, B-side, Variant 2
R- 114766A -1 A1
R- 114766B -1 I A1 D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | EMI America 81 2403681First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Australia | EMI America ST.240368First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Aquarius Records AQR 539First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Colombia | Capitol Records 111014First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1985 | France | EMI America 2403681First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | EMI 062 240368 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | EMI America 64 2403681First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | EMI America EYS-91117First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | EMI America EYS-91117First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Mexico | EMI America SLEM-1307First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Philippines | EMI America ST-17161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Portugal | EMI America 2403681First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | South Africa | EMI America ST(D) 7171611First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | South Korea | Oasis Records OLE-585First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Spain | EMI America 066 240368 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Canada | Aquarius AQR-539LPLP, Record Store Day, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Record Store Day, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
26 vinyl pressings of Boy In The Box are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1985 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Canada, US, UK, Brazil and more. One of them is Aquarius Records AQR 539.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AQR 539, ST-17161, HART 1, 064-24 0368) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AQR-539-A MASTERDISK BK and AQR-539-B MASTERDISK BK DM 13. 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.
