Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Presley · 1971
I Just Can't Help Believin' was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. 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 1971, the album's first year, in 5 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.
A2PW 9844 1ERunout, side A, variant 1
A2PW 9845Runout, side B, variant 1
A2PW 9844-2ERunout, side A, variant 2
A2PW 9845-2ERunout, side B, variant 2
A2PW 9844 - IEStamped Side A [Variant 1]
A2PW 9845 - IEStamped Side B [Variant 1]
A2PW 9844 - 2E .1 30Stamped Side A [Variant 2]
A2PW 9845 - IE .1 31Stamped Side B [Variant 2]
A2PW 9844 - 3EStamped Side A
A2PW 9845 - 3EStamped Side B
A2PW 9844Side A
A2PW 9844Side B
A2PW 9844-3E A2DA-side runout
A2PW 9845-3E A3CB-side runout
A2PW 9844A-side label
A2PW 9845B-side label
A2PW 9844-3EA-Side Runout variant 1
A2PW 9845-3E AZGB-Side Runout variant 1
A2PW 9844A-Side Label
A2PW 9845B-Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Kenya | RCA Victor RKA 40584 / Victor A2PW 9844First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Madagascar | RCA Victor 42-302First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Philippines | RCA Victor 47-6336First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Spain | RCA Victor 3-10680First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Spain | RCA Victor 3-10680First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2158First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2158First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2158First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2158First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2158First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2158First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2158First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | France | RCA Victor 49855 / RCA Victor 49.8557", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-16 126 / RCA 74-16 1267", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-16 1267", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Netherlands | RCA OLD-250217", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | RCA GOLD 500 / RCA PB 97237", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | El Salvador | RCA Victor ELK -001677", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Germany | RCA 74-161267", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | UK | RCA GOLD 5007", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
22 vinyl pressings of I Just Can't Help Believin' are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1971 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, Kenya, Madagascar, Philippines and more. One of them is RCA Victor RCA 2158.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RCA 2158, RKA 40584, 42-302, 47-6336) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A2PW 9844 1E and A2PW 9845. 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.
