Vinyl pressings
by Emerson, Lake & Powell · 1986
Touch & Go 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.
9 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
885-101-7-86NP-7118-SP [Specialty Records Corporation symbol] 1 – 1 ☆ [STERLING]Side A, etched/[Stamped]
885-101-7-86NP-7116-SP [Specialty Records Corporation symbol] 1 – 2 ☆ [STERLING]Side B, etched/[Stamped]
PRO421.1.86.NP7118-ES Emw STERLINGRunouts etched (STERLING stamped)
86 NP 7118Labels
885-1017-86NP-7118-ES STERLING EmwRunouts
86 NP 7118Labels
POSP 804 A // 1 ∇ 420 T 1 1 Bilbo Tape OneStamped/Etched Runout Side A
POSP 804 B // 1 ∇ 420 T 1 1 Bilbo Tape OneStamped/Etched Runout Side B
POSPX 804-A/1 420TEtching side A
POSPX 804-B/1 420TEtching side B
MX 64989Side A label
MX 64990Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Polydor 885-101-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Polydor PDS 2295First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | France | Polydor 885 101-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Japan | Polydor 13MM 7035First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | UK | Polydor POSPX 804First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | Polydor PRO-421-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Polydor 885 101-7 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Polydor 885-101-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | Polydor 8851017", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1986 | UK | Polydor POSP 804First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Polydor POSPX 80412", Single | 12", Single |
11 vinyl pressings of Touch & Go are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Polydor 885-101-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 885-101-7, PRO-421-1, 885 101-7 DJ, POSP 804) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 885-101-7-86NP-7118-SP [Specialty Records Corporation symbol] 1 – 1 ☆ [STERLING] and 885-101-7-86NP-7116-SP [Specialty Records Corporation symbol] 1 – 2 ☆ [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.
