Vinyl pressings
by Dan Seals · 1986
On The Frontline 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.
8 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 8 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.
PW - 1 - 17231 - Z2 0 B - 25296 Z2 SP 0 - 3 △14226 1̶ ̶-̶ ̶3̶Runout side A, variant 1
PW - 2 - 17231 - Z1 0 B - 25296 Z1 SP 1̶ ̶-̶ ̶3̶ 0 - 2 △14226 - XRunout side B, variant 1
PW - 1 - 17231 - Z2 ℚ B - 25296 Z2 SP 0 - 1 ∆14226 1̶ ̶-̶1̶ TML-M AL-SPRunout side A, variant 2
PW - 2 - 17231 - Z1 ℚ B - 25296 Z1 SP 1̶ ̶-̶ ̶3̶ 0 - 2 ∆14226 - X AL-SP TML-XRunout side B, variant 2
PW-17231-1-1A2HZ: DM- 5Side A runout
PW-17231-2 1A2HZ: DM-3Side B runout
2406611-A1Side A stamped
2406611-B1Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Argentina | EMI 81 2406611 / EMI 58481First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | EMI America ST.240661First yearLP | LP |
| 1986 | Canada | EMI America PW-517231LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Canada | EMI America PW-17231First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI America 064 24 0651 1 / EMI America 24 0651 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Germany | EMI America 1A 064-24 0661 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | EMI America AML 3114First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | EMI America PW-17231First yearLP | LP |
| 1986 | US | EMI America PW-17231LP, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | US | EMI America PW-517231LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | USA & Canada | EMI America PW-17231First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of On The Frontline are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Australia & New Zealand, Canada and more. One of them is EMI America PW-17231.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PW-17231, AML 3114, ST.240661, 064 24 0651 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PW - 1 - 17231 - Z2 0 B - 25296 Z2 SP 0 - 3 △14226 1̶ ̶-̶ ̶3̶ and PW - 2 - 17231 - Z1 0 B - 25296 Z1 SP 1̶ ̶-̶ ̶3̶ 0 - 2 △14226 - X. 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.
