Vinyl pressings
by Daryl Hall · 1986
Three Hearts In The Happy Ending Machine 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.
27 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.
AJL1-7196-A 3 MASTERDISK I EDPM1 SF1 SM1 A1FRunout A variant 1
AJL1-7196-B 4 MASTERDISK I M1SF1SM4 A1GRunout B variant 1
AJL1-7196-A 3 MASTERDISK I EDPM1SF1 SM3 A 1 KRunout A variant 2
AJL1-7196-B-7 MASTERDISK I M1SF1SM7 EDP A 1 BRunout B variant 2
AJL1-7196-A 6 MASTERDISK I EDPM1 SF1 SM1 A1FRunout A
AJL1-7196-B 4 MASTERDISK I M1SF1SM6 AIERunout B
AJL-7196-ALabel A
AJL-7196-BLabel B
AFL1-7196-A-INT-1 MASTERDISKSide A runout
AFL1-7196-B-INT-1 MASTERDISKSide B runout
AFL1 7196 ASide A label
AFL1 7196 BSide B label
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 | RCA/Ariola-Ariola/RCA TLP-70045First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Australia | RCA SFL1-0147First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Brazil | RCA Victor 104.4218First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | RCA AJL1-7196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Colombia | RCA 05(0131)02150First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Ecuador | RCA 923-1098First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Ecuador | RCA 923-1098First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | RCA PL87196First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | RCA PL87196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | RCA RCLP 20384First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Hong Kong | RCA AJL1-7196First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Israel | RCA AJL1-7196First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Italy | RCA PL 87196First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Mexico | RCA Victor MILS-4735 / RCA Victor MILS•4735First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Philippines | RCA AJL1-7196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
28 vinyl pressings of Three Hearts In The Happy Ending Machine are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, Japan, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is RCA AJL1-7196.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AJL1-7196, RPL-8349, TLP-70045, SFL1-0147) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AJL1-7196-A 3 MASTERDISK I EDPM1 SF1 SM1 A1F and AJL1-7196-B 4 MASTERDISK I M1SF1SM4 A1G. 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.
