Vinyl pressings
by Howard Jones · 1989
The Prisoner 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.
18 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 10 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 246931-0-A 1 HRunout A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 246931-B 3 HRunout B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 246931-0-A 1 HRunout A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 246931-0-B 3 HRunout B, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 246932-7-A 4 HRunout side A
R/S Alsdorf 246932-7-B 1 HRunout side B
HOW-14-A-1 MT. DAMONT BilBo TAPE ONERunout etched side A
HOW-14-B-1 MT. DAMONT BilBo TAPE ONERunout etched 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 | WEA 0 246931First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Australia | WEA 7-246932First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Canada | WEA 24 69327First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1989 | Canada | WEA 24 69327First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | WEA 246 931-0 / WEA HOW 14 TFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Europe | WEA 246 932-7 / WEA HOW 14First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | France | WEA 246 932-7First year7" | 7" |
| 1989 | Japan | WEA PRS-2046First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Spain | WEA 1.094First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | WEA 246 931-0 / WEA HOW 14TFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | UK | WEA SAM14First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | US | Elektra ED 5385 / Elektra ED-5385First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1989 | US | Elektra 0-66695First year12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1989 | US | Elektra 7-69288First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1989 | US | Elektra 7-69288First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
19 vinyl pressings of The Prisoner are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in Europe, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is WEA 246 931-0.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 246 931-0, 246 932-7, HOW 14, 0-66695) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 246931-0-A 1 H and R/S Alsdorf 246931-B 3 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.
