Vinyl pressings
by Diana Ross · 1981
Why Do Fools Fall In Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 26 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.
AFL 1 4153 A TJ 2 I STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
AFL 1 4153 B TJ AA 2 I STERLING Λ 6Runout side B, variant 1
AFL 1 4153 A 1 STERLING TJ AC 0Runout side A, variant 2
AFL 1 4153 B 2 STERLING TJ AC 5Runout side B, variant 2
EST 1 26733-1 MJ 57 2Side A runout, Variant 1
EST 2 26733-1 9 1 MJSide B runout, Variant 1
EST 1 26733-1 MJ 6 8 4Side A runout, Variant 2
EST 2 26733-1 8 8 1 MJSide B runout, Variant 2
EST 1 26733-1 MJ 1 3 5Side A runout
EST 2 26733-2 1 1 1 9Side B runout
ST126733 MAXICUT OttoSide A etched Runout
ST226733 MAXICUT @301 OttoSide B etched Runout
ST1 26733Side A Label
ST2 26733Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | Capitol Records ST-2-26733First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Australia | Capitol Records ST.26733 / Capitol Records ST-26733First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Austria | Capitol Records 1A 064-91855 / Capitol Records 86441First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C 064 86441 DFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | RCA Victor AFL1-4153First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | RCA AFL1-4153 / RCA Victor AFL1-4153First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Colombia | Capitol Records 11872First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Capitol Records 1A 064-86441 / Capitol Records 86441First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Capitol Records 1A 064-86441 / EMI 1A 064-86441LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Europe | Capitol Records 1A 064-86441 / Capitol Records 86441First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Capitol Records 2C 070-86.441First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Capitol Records 2C 070-86.441LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Greece | Capitol Records 14C 064-86441 / Capitol Records ST-26733First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | India | Capitol Records ST-26733First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-81456First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 038-15 7655 1 / Capitol Records 038-15 7655 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Fame FA 3186 / Fame 41 3186 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
41 vinyl pressings of Why Do Fools Fall In Love are listed here, from 30 countries, released between 1981 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Italy, Argentina and more. One of them is RCA Victor AFL1-4153, released October 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AFL1-4153, EST 26733, 3C 064-86441, ST-2-26733) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AFL 1 4153 A TJ 2 I STERLING and AFL 1 4153 B TJ AA 2 I STERLING Λ 6. 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.
