Vinyl pressings
by Iron Maiden · 1986
Stranger In A Strange Land 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.
20 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 7 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.
EMI 5589 A-1U-1-Q-2–X1 ARunout side A, variant 1
EMI 5589 B-1U-1-Q-2- 4 - BRunout side B, variant 1
EMI 5589 A-1U-1-1-X1 STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
EMI 5589 B-1U-1-1-X1 STERLINGRunout side B, variant 2
EMI 5589 A-1-1-1-0-2-12Side A runout, stamped, variant 1
EMI 5589 A-1-1-1-0-2-12 X1Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
EMI 5589 A-1U-1-Q-2-0Side A runout, stamped, variant 2
EMI 5589 B-1U-1Q-2-9Side B runout, stamped, variant 2
EMI 5589 A-1U-1-Q-2-13 ARunout side A, variant 1
EMI 5589 B-1U-1-Q2-2 BRunout side B, variant 1
EMI 5589 A-1U-1-Q-2-1 Sterling ARunout side A, variant 2
EMI 5589 B-1U-1-Q2-2-3 Sterling BRunout side B, variant 2
EMI 5589 A-1U-1-Q-2-11 STERLING ARunout side A, variant 1
EMI 5589 B-1U-1-Q4-2 STERLING BRunout side B, variant 1
EMI 5589 A-1U-1-Q-2-12 STERLING ARunout side A, variant 2
EMI 5589 B-1U-1-Q2-2 x1 STERLING BRunout side B, variant 2
12 EMI 5589 A-2U-1- STERLING ASide A runout, stamped
12 EMI 5589 B-1U-1- STERLING BSide B runout, stamped
12 EMIP 5589ASide A label
12 EMIP 5589BSide B label
12 EMI 5589 A-2U-1-1 STERLING AA side runout, variant 1
12 EMI 5589 B-1U-1-11 STERLING BB side runout, variant 1
12 EMI 5589 A-1U-1-1-8 STERLING AA side runout, variant 2
12 EMI 5589 B-1U-1-1-10 STERLING BB side runout, variant 2
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 | Argentina | EMI 61 2015516 6826First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Argentina | EMI 61 2015516 6826First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI ED.241 / EMI ED 241First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI ED.241First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 1A K 060 20 1551 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 1A 016-20 1552 7 / EMI 016 20 1552 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 1A K 060 20 1551 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | New Zealand | EMI GOOD 153First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Spain | EMI 006 20 1552 7 / EMI 006 2015527First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Spain | EMI 052 20 1551 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Spain | EMI 006 20 1552 7 / EMI 006 2015527First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | EMI 12 EMIP 5589First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1986 | UK | EMI 12EMI 5589First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | EMI 12EMI 5589First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1986 | UK | EMI 55897", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Parlophone 2564624850 / Parlophone 55897", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 2014 | USA & Canada | Sanctuary BMG14035V / Sanctuary 8810341118697", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Korea | Far East Metal Syndicate FEMS SP-56 / EMI S19-500912", 33 ⅓ RPM, Etched, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Etched, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
27 vinyl pressings of Stranger In A Strange Land are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1986 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is EMI EMI 5589, released November 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 5589, 12 EMIP 5589, 12EMI 5589, SPRO-9914) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 5589 A-1U-1-Q-2–X1 A and EMI 5589 B-1U-1-Q-2- 4 - B. 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.
