Vinyl pressings
by Eric Clapton · 1988
Crossroads was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 9 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.
835 262 - 1 S 1 3 20Side A runout, variant 1
835 262 - 1 S 2 3 20Side B runout, variant 1
835 263 - 1 S 1 3 20Side C runout, variant 1
835 263 - 1 S 2 3 20Side D runout, variant 1
422-835-262-1A-REC1-HRM1 -EMW- STERLINGA-Side Runout, Variant 1
422-835-262-1B-REC1-HRM2 -EMW- STERLINGB-Side Runout, Variant 1
422835261-1-C-REC2-ES1 1-2 EMW STERLINGC-Side Runout, Variant 1
422835261-1-D-REC2-ES1 1-2 EMW STERLINGD-Side Runout, Variant 1
STERLING A-1 ᐉ 422835261-A̶ ̶R̶E̶C̶1̶- HRM SIDE1Runout side A
STERLING A-1 ᐉ 422835262-̶B̶ ̶R̶E̶C̶1- HRM SIDE2Runout side B
STERLING A-1 ᐉ 4228352631̶C̶ ̶R̶E̶C̶2̶- HRM SIDE1Runout side C
A-1 ᐉ 422835263-1̶D̶ ̶R̶E̶C̶2̶- HRM SIDE-2Runout side D
422835261-1-A- REC1-SR 1-1SRC STERLINGSide A
422835261-1-B. REC1-SR 1-1SRC STERLINGSide B
422835261-1-C-REC2-SR 1-2STERLING SRCSide C
42283261-1- D - REC2 SR 1-2 STERLING SRCSide D
835 262-1A SET 835 261-1 REC ONE S1 EMIDISC - DMMSide one
835 262-1B SET 835 261-1 REC ONE S2 EMIDISC - DMMSide two
835 263-1A SET 835 261-1 REC TWO S1 EMIDISC - DMMSide three
835 263-1B SET 835 261-1 REC TWO S2 EMIDISC - DMMSide four
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | Polydor 835 261-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Brazil | Polydor 835 261-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1988 | Canada | Polydor 835 261-1First yearLP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
| 1988 | Europe | Polydor 835 261-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1988 | Greece | Polydor 835 261-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1988 | Greece | Polydor 835 261-1LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Box Set · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Box Set · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Greece | Polydor 835 261-1LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Box Set · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Box Set · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Japan | Polydor 835 261-1First yearLP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
| 1988 | UK | Polydor 835 265-1First yearLP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1988 | US | Polydor 835 261-1First yearLP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
| 1988 | US | Polydor 835 262-1 / Polydor 835-263-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation |
| 1988 | Yugoslavia | Polydor 835 261-1 / PGP RTB 320030First yearLP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
| 1988 | US | Polydor 835 261-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1989 | Brazil | Polydor 835 261-1LP, Compilation, Reissue, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Box Set |
14 vinyl pressings of Crossroads are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1988 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in Europe, US, UK, Australia and more. One of them is Polydor 835 261-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 835 261-1, 835 265-1, 835 262-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 835 262 - 1 S 1 3 20 and 835 262 - 1 S 2 3 20. 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.
