Vinyl pressings
by Electric Light Orchestra · 1986
Calling America 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.
26 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 14 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.
-A6844 A1Etched side A variant 1
-A6844 B1Etched side B variant 1
A-6844-A2 ⋀Side A runout variant 2 etched/stamped
A 6844 B1 BSide B runout variant 2 etched/stamped
QTA-6844-A1A-side runout, etched
QTA-6844-B1B-side runout, etched
-A6844 A1A-side runout
-A6844 B1B-side runout
A 6844 AA-side label
A 6844 BB-side label
ZS4-05766-3-1C G1 Sterling A1A-side, Variant 1
ZS4-05766-4-1C G1 Sterling AB-side, Variant 1
ZS4-05766-3-1C G1 Sterling B6A-side, Variant 2
ZS4-05766-4-1D G1 Sterling A12B-side, Variant 2
ZS4 05766-3-1B STERLING P (AP)Runout A side variant 1
ZS4 05766-4-1A STERLING P (AP)Runout B side variant 1
ZS4-05766-3-1B STERLING P (AP)Runout A side variant 2
ZS4-05766-4-1B STERLING P (AP)Runout B side variant 2
P(AP) ZS4-05766-3-1A /\ STERLINGSide A runout, etched (except "/\ STERLING" stamped)
P(AP) ZS4-05766-3-1B STERLINGSide B runout, etched (except "STERLING" stamped)
AA-AF ZS4 05766-3Both Sides 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 | Australia | Jet Records ES 1115First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | CBS Associated Records ZS4 05766 / CBS Associated Records ZS4-05766First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Ecuador | CBS Columbia 133-0126First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Europe | Jet Records A 12.6844 / Jet Records JETA 12-6844First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Europe | Epic EPCA 6844 / Epic A-6844First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | JET Records JETA 6844 / JET Records A-6844First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | JET Records JETA 6844 / JET Records A-6844First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Jet Records A 12.6844 / Jet Records JETA 12-6844First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Ireland | Epic EPC A 6844First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Ireland | Epic EPC A 6844First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | Japan | CBS/Sony XDSP930677", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Jet Records ES 1115First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | Portugal | Epic EPC A 6844First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | South Africa | Epic EN 5917First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | Spain | Epic EPC A 6844First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Jet Records ES 11157", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Australia | Jet Records ES 11157", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
30 vinyl pressings of Calling America are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Epic A 6844, released February 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use A 6844, QTA 6844, ZS4 05766, ZAS 2254) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, -A6844 A1 and -A6844 B1. 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.
