Vinyl pressings
by Kenny G · 1988
Silhouette 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.
24 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 18 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.
A - 2 ➣ AL-8457-SA - HRMIRunout Groove Side A
B - 2 ➣ AL 8457-SB (HRMI)Runout Groove Side B
A - 1 ➣ AL-8457-SA - HRMISide A variant 2
B - 1 ➣ AL 8457-SB (HRMI)Side B variant 2
AL 8547-SA-SR1 1-1Side A Etched
AL 8457-SB (SR3) 1-1Side B Etched
SRCSide A & B Stamped
(AL-8457-SA)Side A Label
AL 8457-SA-SH1 (Allied Logo) B-32967-SH1 △22500 1-1Side A etched
AL 8457-SB (SH2) (Allied Logo) B-32968-SH2 △22501 1-1Side B etched
AL 8547-SA-ES1 EMWSide A Etched
AL 8457-SB (ES1) EMWSide B Etched
AL-8457-SALabel: Side A
AL-8457-SBLabel: Side B
A - 2 ➣ AL-8457-SA - HRMIDeadwax, Side A
B - 1 ➣ AL 8457-SB (HRMI)Deadwax, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | Arista TLP 90167First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Australasia | Arista VPL1 7596First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Brazil | Arista 140.8056First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Arista AL-8457First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Arista AL-8457LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1988 | Costa Rica | Arista 1003001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | Arista 209 284First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Germany | Arista 209 438First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | Arista 74037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Hungary | Gong SLPXL 37457First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Jamaica | Arista AL-8457First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Japan | Arista A27L-67First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Mexico | Arista LAE 828First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Philippines | Arista AL-8457First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | South Africa | Arista ASTC 207First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
28 vinyl pressings of Silhouette are listed here, from 18 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, Japan, Australasia, Brazil and more. One of them is Arista AL-8457.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL-8457, VPL1 7596, A27L-67, 140.8056) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A - 2 ➣ AL-8457-SA - HRMI and B - 2 ➣ AL 8457-SB (HRMI). 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.
