Vinyl pressings
by John Denver · 1985
Dreamland Express 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.
15 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 12 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.
AFL1-5458-A-1Side A runout, variant 1
AFL1-5458-B-2Side B runout, variant 1
AFL1-5458-A-2 EDP MI MASTERDISKSide A runout, variant 2
AFL1-5458-B-2 EDP MI SFI SMI MASTERDISK A3CSide B runout, variant 2
ML - 4812 ASide 1 runout etched
ML - 4812 BSide 2 runout etched
RCA 104.4203-A . 1S A 1......Runout side A, variant 1
RCA 104.4203-B . 1S A 1.....Runout side B, variant 1
RCA 104.4203-A . 1S A 1......Runout side A, variant 2
RCA 104.4203-B . 1S A 4.....Runout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | RCA Victor TLP-60174First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Brazil | RCA PL85458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Brazil | RCA Victor 104 4203 / RCA Victor 104.4203First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Canada | RCA AFL1-5458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | RCA PL85458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Israel | RCA AFL1-5458 / RCA Victor AFL1-5458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Italy | RCA PL85458-8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Italy | RCA PL85458-8First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Japan | RCA RPL-8305First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | RCA RPL-8305First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Portugal | RCA Victor PL15458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Spain | RCA Victor PL-85458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | RCA AFL1-5458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | South Africa | RCA Victor ML 4812First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Australia & New Zealand | Starcall Victor SFL1 0133First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
15 vinyl pressings of Dreamland Express are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, South Africa, Australia & New Zealand, Argentina and more. One of them is RCA AFL1-5458.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AFL1-5458, ML 4812, SFL1 0133, TLP-60174) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AFL1-5458-A-1 and AFL1-5458-B-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.
