Vinyl pressings
by Eric Clapton · 1978
Promises was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
36 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 17 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.
AA 2090 324 1W 1 670 03 1 1Runout side A stamped variant 1
AA 2090 324 2W 1 670 03 1 1 3Runout side B stamped variant 1
AA 2090 324 1W 1 670 03 11Runout side A stamped variant 2
AA 2090 324 2W 1 670 03 1Runout side B stamped variant 2
RSO 21 A // 2 STR 1 1 4 STRAWBERRY
RSO 21 B // 2 STR 1 1 STRAWBERRY 1 1
RSO 21 A // 2 STR 1 1 4 STRAWBERRY
RSO 21 B // 2 STR 1 1 STRAWBERRY 1 1
RS-910-AS- CPI TML-MRunout Side A
RS-910-BS- CPI TML-MRunout Side B
RS-910-AS- CP2 TML-SRunout Side A
RS-910-BS- CP1 TML-MRunout Side B
RSO 21 A // 2 STR 1 1 8 STRAWBERRYA Side
RSO 21 B // 1 STR 1 2 STRAWBERRY 1 9B Side
RS-910-AS PRC-R-5-1-1 TML MA side runout
RS-910-BS PRC-R-3-1-1 TML MB side runout
RS 910ASA side label
RS 910BSB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | RSO 2090 324First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Belgium | RSO 2090 324First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Belgium | RSO 2090 324First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | RSO RS 910First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | RSO RS 910First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | France | RSO 2090 324First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Ireland | RSO RSO 21First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Italy | RSO 2090 324First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Japan | RSO DWQ 6064First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | New Zealand | RSO POLY 10First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Philippines | RSO RSO-873-052First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Philippines | RSO RSO-873-052First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Rhodesia | Polydor PS 1045First year7" | 7" |
| 1978 | Scandinavia | RSO 2090 324First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1978 | South Africa | RSO PS 1045First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
41 vinyl pressings of Promises are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Netherlands, UK, US, Germany and more. One of them is RSO 2090 324, released November 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2090 324, RSO 21, RS 910, RPO 1005) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AA 2090 324 1W 1 670 03 1 1 and AA 2090 324 2W 1 670 03 1 1 3. 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.
