Vinyl pressings
by Jackson Browne · 1986
For America 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.
21 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
AL-SP STEA69566-1A Q △11613 TML-X SP0-1A-Side Runout Etching
STEA69566B-2 AL-SP Q △11613-X TML-M 1-2B-Side Runout Etching
ST-EA-69566-A-SPA-Side Label
ST-EA-69566-B-SPB-Side Label
STEA69566-A3 [Allied 'a' logo] R-15371-A3 TML-X △11613 1-1A-side runout
STEA69566B-3 [Allied 'a' logo] R-15355-3 △11613-X 1-1 TML-XB-side runout
ST-EA-69566-A-ARA-side label
ST-EA-69566-B-ARB-side label
ST-EA 69566-A2 ɑ ∆ 11613 1-1 SP 0-1 TML-XVar 1: Runout side A etched (ɑ ᴛᴍʟ-x stamps)
1-1 ɑ ∆11614 ST EA 69566C-1 AL-SP TML-XVar 1: Runout side B etched (ɑ ᴛᴍʟ-x stamps)
ST-EA 69566-A2 ɑ ∆ 11613 1-1 TML-X SP 0-1 AL-SPVar 2: Runout side A etched (ɑ ᴛᴍʟ-x stamps)
ST EA 69566-A2 ∆ 11613 TML-M 1-1 SP 0-1 AL-SPVar 3: Runout side A etched (ᴛᴍʟ-ᴍ stamp)
ST-ED-5121-A-SPLabels
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 | Australia | Asylum Records 7-69566 / WEA 7-69566First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Asylum Records 96 95667First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Canada | Asylum Records 96 95667First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Europe | Asylum Records 969 566-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Asylum Records 966 855-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Ireland | Asylum Records EKR 35First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Italy | Asylum Records 96 9566-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | Asylum Records P-2067First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Peru | Elektra 0769566.9First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | Peru | Elektra F-ELK 0769566.9First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Spain | Asylum Records 969 566-7 / Asylum Records 96 9566-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Spain | Asylum Records 969 566-7 / Asylum Records 96 9566-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | Asylum Records EKR 35P / Asylum Records EKR35P 969 566-7First year7", 45 RPM, Shape, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Shape, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1986 | UK | Asylum Records 969 566-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | Asylum Records EKR 35 / Asylum Records 969566-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of For America are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Asylum Records 7-69566.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-69566, ED 5121, EKR 35P, 969 566-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-SP STEA69566-1A Q △11613 TML-X SP0-1 and STEA69566B-2 AL-SP Q △11613-X TML-M 1-2. 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.
