Vinyl pressings
by Luther Vandross · 1982
Forever, For Always, For Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 7 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.
AL 38235-1B STERLINGSide A runout variant 1
BL. 38235 G2A C.B.S. GA. CB A1 GSide B runout variant 1
G I AL 38235-1E A9 STERLING ⒽSide A runout variant 2
G I BL 38235-1E C8 STERLING ⒽSide B runout variant 2
AL38235-1C STERLING ⚾︎ 12F o T1Runout side A
BL·38235-1D 5H o STERLING ⚾︎ T1Runout side B
AL 38235Label side A
BL 38235Label side B
P o AL 38235-1A D STERLING ⒽSide A runout, variant 1
P o BL 38235-1H STERLING Ⓗ DSide B runout, variant 1
P o AL 38235-1B A STERLING ⒽSide A runout, variant 2
P o BL 38235-1J STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
AL 38235-1A E9 Ⓗ STERLINGA-side label
(FXAP) BL 38235-G2D G｜B-side label
AL-38235-1A-2HZ: DM-1Side A runout
BL-38235-1A-2HZ: DM-1Side B runout
AL 38235Side A label
BL 38235Side B label
AL 38235A Side Label
BL 38235B Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Epic FE 38235 / Epic ELPS 4349First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Epic EPC 25013First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Epic EPC 4606971First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | Epic 25●3P-394First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | Epic 25●3P-394First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Epic 25013First yearLP | LP |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Epic ELPS 4349First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Epic FE 38235First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Epic FE 38235First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Epic FE 38235First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Epic FE 38235First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Canada | Epic FE 38235First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Epic EPC 25013LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1987 | UK | Epic 463001 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Epic FE 38235LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of Forever, For Always, For Love are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1982 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, Canada, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Epic FE 38235.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FE 38235, EPC 25013, EPC 4606971, 25●3P-394) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 38235-1B STERLING and BL. 38235 G2A C.B.S. GA. CB A1 G. 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.
