Vinyl pressings
by Juice Newton · 1981
Queen Of Hearts was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
38 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 25 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.
4977 S45-97232 F-1 #2 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Runout, side A
4977 S45-97301 F-2 #3 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Runout, side B
S97232Label Side A
S97301Label Side B
4997 S45-97232 F-3 Mastered by Capitol Wally —◁Side A, variant 1
4997 S45-97301 F-3 #2 Mastered by Capitol Wally —◁Side B, variant 1
S45-97232 G-5 (4997) Mastered By Capitol J. Lemay —◁Side A, variant 2
A4997-S45-97301-G7 Mastered By Capitol Gene —◁Side B, variant 2
S45-97232 F-5 [Allied Record Company logo] R̶-̶7̶3̶3̶3̶ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL R-7343 4997Side A runout
S45-97301 F-5 [Allied Record Company logo] R̶-̶7̶3̶3̶1̶ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL R-7341 4997Side B runout
S97232Label Side A
S97301Label Side B
S45-97232 G6 • - MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ A-4997Side A runout
S45-97301 G6 • MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ A 4997Side B runout
S97232Side A label
S97301Side B label
4997 S45-97232 F-5 R7343 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally
CL 204 A - 1 5 1Side A runout
CL 204 B - 1 7 1Side B runout
CL 204ASide A label
CL 204BSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | Capitol Records 1799First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Argentina | Capitol Records 4997 AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-496First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Barbados | Capitol Records 4997First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Bolivia | EMI International BO - 1365 / EMI International BO-1365First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C 006 86388First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Capitol Records 4997First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Central America | Capitol Records 4997First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Colombia | Capitol Records 446-1093First year12", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | Colombia | Capitol Records 4461093First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | Colombia | Capitol Records 446-1093First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | Colombia | Capitol Records 446-1093First year12", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | Ecuador | Capitol Records 121-0031First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Ecuador | Capitol Records 121-0031First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | France | Capitol Records 1C 006-86 3887", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label 863887", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| ? | US | Collectables COL 60787", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
43 vinyl pressings of Queen Of Hearts are listed here, from 26 countries, released between 1981 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Capitol Records 4997, released May 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4997, P-4997, CL 204, 4997 A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 4977 S45-97232 F-1 #2 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0 and 4977 S45-97301 F-2 #3 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0. 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.
