Vinyl pressings
by John Farnham · 1988
Age Of Reason was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 14 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.
SFL1 0168 A-2 X P -EMIDISC DMM-A-side hand-etched runouts, variant 1
SFL1 0168 B X P -EMIDISC DMM-B-side hand-etched runouts, variant 1
SFL1 0168 A-3 P - EMIDISC DMM-A-side hand-etched runouts, variant 2
SFL1 0168 B-2 ˭ P - EMIDISC DMM-B-side hand-etched runouts, variant 2
9687-1-R-A-ES1 ƐMWSide A Runout - Etched
9687-1-R-B E̶S̶2̶ 3 ƐMWSide B Runout - Etched
STERLINGSide A/B Runout - Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | RCA Victor SFL1 0168First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Brazil | BMG 140.7008 / Wheatley Records 1407008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | RCA 3418-1-XLFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Germany | RCA 60125-2 / BMG 60125-2LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1988 | Greece | RCA 70100 / Wheatley Records 70100First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Hong Kong | Wheatley Records SFL1 0168 / Wheatley Records SFL1-0168First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Mexico | RCA Victor LAE-814First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Portugal | RCA Victor PL 71839First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | South Africa | RCA Victor RCAC 1089First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | South Korea | BMG SRPR-167First yearLP | LP |
| 1988 | Spain | RCA Victor PL 71839First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK & Europe | RCA PL 71839 / RCA PL71839First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | RCA 9935-2-RFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | RCA 9687-1-RFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | RCA 9935-1-RFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Australia | Sony Music 88985339201LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Australia | Sony Music 19658852161LP, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
19 vinyl pressings of Age Of Reason are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1988 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in Australasia, US, Argentina, Brazil and more. One of them is RCA Victor SFL1 0168, released July 27, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SFL1 0168, 9935-2-R, 9687-1-R, 9935-1-R) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SFL1 0168 A-2 X P -EMIDISC DMM- and SFL1 0168 B X P -EMIDISC DMM-. 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.
