Vinyl pressings
by Jean-Luc Ponty · 1985
Fables was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
STA 855-759-A 1-2 B-21832 SP AR Δ10544 O-SM1-1Side A Runout Etched
STA 855-760-A 1-2 SPAR B-21833-A Δ10544-X O-SM1-1Side B Runout Etched
SRC[Logo]Stamped Both Sides
ST-A-855759-ARSide A Label
STA 855-759-A 1-1 SP 1-1Side A Runout Etched Variant 1
STA 855-760-A 1-4Side B Runout Etched Variant 1
STA 855-759-A 1-4Side A Runout Etched Variant 2
STA 855-760-A 1-4Side B Runout Etched Variant 2
STA 855759-A G1 A1Side A Runout
STA 855760-A G1 A1Side B Runout
ST-A-855759-SPSide A Label
ST-A-855760-SPSide B Label
ST-A-855759LADO A
ST-A-855760LADO B
RCA 604.7166-A 1S A1Side A, stamped
RCA 604.7166-B 1S A3Side B, stamped
604.7166-ALabel A
604.7166-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | Atlantic 88000First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Brazil | Atlantic 604.7166 / Atlantic 20.135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Atlantic 78 12761 / Atlantic 78 12761 QFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Atlantic 781 276-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | Atlantic 781276-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | Atlantic 781276-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1985 | US | Atlantic 81276-1 / Atlantic 7 81276-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Atlantic 81276-1 / Atlantic 7 81276-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Atlantic A1 81276LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | US | Atlantic 81276-1 / Atlantic 7 81276-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Venezuela | Atlantic Atlantic 3.094 / Atlantic 3094First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Atlantic P-13231AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Atlantic P-13231First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Mexico | WEA LWA-6469LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | Mexico | WEA LWA-6469LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Korea | High Stereo Light ST-70LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Atlantic 81276-1 / Atlantic 81276LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
18 vinyl pressings of Fables are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1985 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Japan, Argentina, Brazil and more. One of them is Atlantic 81276-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 81276-1, P-13231A, 88000, 604.7166) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STA 855-759-A 1-2 B-21832 SP AR Δ10544 O-SM1-1 and STA 855-760-A 1-2 SPAR B-21833-A Δ10544-X O-SM1-1. 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.
