Vinyl pressings
by KC Flightt · 1989
Planet E was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 5 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.
PB.49403.A1 JASide A runout groove hand etched
PB.49403.B1Side B runout groove hand etched
PB 49403 A‡Side A label
PB 49403 B‡Side B label
PT. 49404. A.1 Λ 2 JARunout A, etched & stamped
PT. 49404. B.1 Λ 1Runout B, etched & stamped
PT 49404 A‡Centre label A
PT 49404 B‡Centre label B
PT. 49404.A.1 1 1 JA CA Side Runout
PT. 49404.B.1 DB Side Runout
PT 49404 A‡A Side Label
PT 49404 B‡B Side Label
PT49374 A1 [Lyre symbol]TOPIA.MS.A-side run-out
PT49374 B1 [Lyre symbol]TOPIA.MS.B-side run-out
PB.49403.A1 5 Λ JARunout side A, etched, except [5 Λ] stamped
PB.49403.B.1 4 ΛRunout side B, etched, except [4 Λ] stamped
PB 49403 A‡Label side-A
PB 49403 B‡Label side-B
88971-RDA DMS ¢Side A
88971-RDB (?)Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Canada | RCA Victor 8897-1-RD / Popular Records 8897-1-RDFirst year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1989 | Canada | RCA 8995-7-RFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Canada | RCA 8995-7-RFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Germany | RCA PB 49403 / Popular Records PB49403First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | RCA PT 49374 DJFirst year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | RCA PB 49403 / Popular Records PB 49403First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | RCA PT 49404 / Popular Records PT 49404First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | RCA PB 49403 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | RCA PT 49404First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | UK | RCA PB 49373DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | RCA PT 49374First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | UK | RCA PB 49403 / Popular Records PB 49403First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK & Europe | RCA PT 49374First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | UK & Europe | RCA PT49404 / Popular Records PT49404First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | US | RCA 8897-1-RDFirst year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
17 vinyl pressings of Planet E are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, US, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is RCA PB 49403.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PB 49403, PT 49404, PT 49374, 8897-1-RD) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PB.49403.A1 JA and PB.49403.B1. 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.
