Vinyl pressings
by David Foster · 1985
Love Theme From St. Elmo's Fire 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.
16 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
STA-48078-2 [Allied logo] R-14522-2 SLM △ 10008 1-1 STERLINGRunout, side A
STA-48081-2 [Allied logo] R-14610-2 SLM △ 10176 1-1 STERLINGRunout, side B
ST-A-48078-ARCenter label, side A
ST-A-48081-ARCenter label, side B
STA-A-48078-1 1-1 STERLINGRunout, side A
STA-48078-1 1-4 STERLINGRunout, side B
ST-A-48078-SPCenter label, side A
ST-A-48081-SPCenter label, side B
A 9628 A // 1 ▼ 420 V 11 3Runout (Stamped) Side A
A 9628 B // 1 ▼ 420 V 11 3Runout (Stamped) Side B
A 9628 A*Label, Side A
A 9628 B*Label, Side B
MX210813
MX210814
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 | Australia | Atlantic 7-89528First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Atlantic 78 95287First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | Atlantic 78 95287First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Germany | Atlantic 789 528-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Guatemala | Atlantic 7-89485First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Ireland | Atlantic A9528 / Atlantic 789528-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Italy | Atlantic 78 9528-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Mexico | Atlantic PRO-123First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Peru | Atlantic F-ALT 0789528.9First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Philippines | Atlantic ATR-0317 / WEA Records ATR-0317First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | South Africa | Atlantic ATS 1066 / Atlantic 7-78528First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | UK | Atlantic 12-89528First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | US | Atlantic 7-89528First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | US | Atlantic 7-89528First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Atlantic 7-89528First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Atlantic 7-849697", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
17 vinyl pressings of Love Theme From St. Elmo's Fire are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Atlantic 7-89528.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-89528, A 9528, 12-89528, 78 95287) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STA-48078-2 [Allied logo] R-14522-2 SLM △ 10008 1-1 STERLING and STA-48081-2 [Allied logo] R-14610-2 SLM △ 10176 1-1 STERLING. 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.
