Vinyl pressings
by Jackson Browne · 1986
In The Shape Of A Heart 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.
25 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 11 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.
ST-EA-69543A - 1 SRC 1-3 TML-XRunout A etched (SRC TML-X stamps)
ST-EA - 69543B-2 SRC 1̶-̶3̶ 1-2 TML-MRunout B etched (SRC TML-M stamps)
ST-EA-69543-A-SPLabel A
ST-EA-69543-B-SPLabel B
ST-EA-69543-A-ARLabel A
ST-EA-69543-B-ARLabel B
ST-EA-69543 A-3 Q R-15820-A-3 delta 15598 1-1 TML-X
ST-EA - 69543 B-3 Q R-15821-3 delta 12598-X 1-1 TML-M
ST-EA-68543A-1 SRC 1-2 TML-XRunout Etchings (Both Sides)
ST-EA-69543-A-SPLabels
ST-ED-5138A-2 1-2 TML-M SRCRunout Side A
ST-ED-5138B-1 1-2 TML-M SRCRunout Side B
STED 5138-A-5 S - 15989 Rε 1 1-1 1Side A, Etched
STE 5138-B-5 S - 15990 R21 - 1-1 1Side B, Etched
TML-MBoth Sides, Stamped
ST-ED-5138-A-ARSide A, Printed On Label
ST-EA-69543-A-ARLabels
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 7-69543First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Asylum Records 96 95437First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Canada | Asylum Records 96 95437First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Europe | Asylum Records 969 543-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | Elektra 966 849-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Germany | Asylum Records 969 543-7First year7" | 7" |
| 1986 | Germany | Asylum Records 969 543-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Ireland | Asylum Records EKR42First year7" | 7" |
| 1986 | Italy | Asylum Records 96 9543-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | Asylum Records P-2123First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | South Africa | Asylum Records WEA 198 PROFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Spain | Asylum Records 969543-7First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Spain | Asylum Records 969543-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Asylum Records EKR 42 T / Asylum Records 966849-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Asylum Records EKR 42FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
25 vinyl pressings of In The Shape Of A Heart are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Asylum Records 7-69543, released May 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-69543, ED 5138, EKR 42 T, EKR 42F) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-EA-69543A - 1 SRC 1-3 TML-X and ST-EA - 69543B-2 SRC 1̶-̶3̶ 1-2 TML-M. 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.
