Vinyl pressings
by Ed Sheeran · 2021
= (Equals) was first pressed on vinyl in 2021. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 2021, the album's first year, in 6 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.
0130236657078 STL BL50122-01 A1 3^Deadwax Side A
0190296657078 BL50122-01 B1 5^
0190296657078 Stu. BL 50122-01 A1A Side Runout - All etched
0190296657078 TAS BL 50122-01 B1B Side Runout - All etched (TAS is very feint)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | UK | Asylum Records 0190296657078First yearLP · Colored vinyl | LP · Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | UK | Asylum Records 0190296657054 / Atlantic Records UK 0190296657054First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | US | Asylum Records 0190296657054 / Atlantic 0190296657054First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | Europe | Asylum Records 0190296657054 / Atlantic 0190296657054First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | Europe | Asylum Records 0190296657078 / Atlantic 0190296657078First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 2021 | Europe | Asylum Records 0190296657061 / Atlantic 0190296657061First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | North America (inc Mexico) | Atlantic 0190296657047 / Asylum Records 0190296657047First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | UK | Asylum Records 0190296657023 / Atlantic 0190296657023First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 2021 | UK | Asylum Records 0190296657030 / Atlantic 0190296657030First yearAll Media, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Stereo, LP, Album, CD, Album · Limited, Colored vinyl | All Media, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Stereo, LP, Album, CD, Album · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | UK | Asylum Records 0190296657030 / Atlantic 0190296657030First yearBox Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, LP, Album, Stereo, LP, Album, Stereo, CD, Album, Stereo, Cassette, Album · Limited, Colored vinyl | Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, LP, Album, Stereo, LP, Album, Stereo, CD, Album, Stereo, Cassette, Album · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | USA & Canada | Asylum Records 0190296657078 / Atlantic 0190296657078First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 2021 | USA & Europe | Asylum Records 0190296657061 / Atlantic 0190296657061First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | Argentina | Atlantic 9029665707 / Plaza Independencia Música 9029665707LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of = (Equals) are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 2021 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 2021, in UK, US, Europe, North America (inc Mexico) and more. One of them is Asylum Records 0190296657023, released October 29, 2021.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 0190296657023, 0190296657030, 0190296657078, 0190296657054) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 0130236657078 STL BL50122-01 A1 3^ and 0190296657078 BL50122-01 B1 5^. 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.
