Vinyl pressings
by Gladys Knight · 1989
Licence To Kill was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 8 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.
R/S Alsdorf 257544-7-A 75 HRunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 257544-7-B HRunout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 257544-7-A HRunout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 257544-7-B X HRunout side B, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 257543-0-A2Side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 257543-0-B2Side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 257543-0-A2 25Side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 257543-0-B2 28Side B, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf GLAD 1 257543-0-A 2Runout Side 1
R/S Alsdorf GLAD 1 257543-0-B 2Runout Side 2
R/S Alsdorf 257544-7-ARunout Side A, stamped
R/S Alsdorf 257544-7-BRunout Side B, stamped
020 R/S Alsdorf 257544-7-A <Sono> HRunout side A
020 R/S Alsdorf 257544-7-B <Sono> HRunout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | MCA Records 7.257544First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Canada | MCA Records MCA53657First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records 257 544-7 / MCA Records 257 544-7 LAFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records 257 543-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records 257 543-0 / MCA Records 257 543-0 LPFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records 257 543-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records 257 544-7 LA / MCA Records 257 544-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records MCA 1339First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records 257 544-7 / MCA Records 257 544-7 LAFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records GLAD 1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | France | MCA Records 257 544-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Spain | MCA Records 1.110First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records MCA 1339First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 1339First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | UK | WEAFirst year12", Single Sided, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", Single Sided, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
28 vinyl pressings of Licence To Kill are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in Europe, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is MCA Records 257 544-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 257 544-7, 257 543-0, 257 544-7 LA, GLAD 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 257544-7-A 75 H and R/S Alsdorf 257544-7-B H. 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.
