Vinyl pressings
by Luther Vandross · 1985
'Til My Baby Comes Home was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 9 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.
XSS-173173-1D STERLING Ⓗ P "T"Side A
XSS 173161-1B STERLING Ⓗ P "T"Side B
XSS-173173-1C STERLING Ⓗ P "T"Side A (Variant 1)
XSS 173161-1B STERLING Ⓗ P "T"Side B (Variant 1)
STERLING ⚾ P ZSS-173159 1BA-Side Runout Etching
STERLING ⚾ P ZSS 173160-1AB-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 173159A-Side Label
ZSS 173160B-Side Label
STERLING ZSS-173159-1D GIA-Side runout etching, variant 1
STERLING ⚾ ZSS 173160-1D G1B-Side runout etching, variant 1
STERLING ⚾ ZSS-173159-1C GA-Side runout etching, variant 2
STERLING ⚾ ZSS 173160-1E GB-Side runout etching, variant 2
ZSS-173159-1D GI STERLINGA side runout
ZSS 173160-1D G1 STERLING ⚾B side runout
ZSS 173159A side label
ZSS 173160B side label
STERLING H P ZSS 173159-1AA-Side Runout Etching
STERLING H P ZSS 173160-1BB-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 173159A-Side Label
ZSS 173160B-Side Label
A 6074 A1Side A Runout
A 6074 B1Side B Runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Epic ES 1040First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | Epic ES 1040First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | Epic ES 12143First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | Epic 12EXP 05159First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Canada | Epic 3404760First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Japan | Epic 07.5P-338First year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Epic EPCA 6074First year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Epic EPCA 12-6074First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Epic ES 12143First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Epic ES 1040First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Portugal | Epic A 6074 / Epic EPC A 6074First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Epic A6074First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK & Europe | Epic TA 6074First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | US | Epic 49 05159First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Epic 34-04760First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
18 vinyl pressings of 'Til My Baby Comes Home are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Epic 49 05159.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 49 05159, 34-04760, A6074, ES 1040) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS-173173-1D STERLING Ⓗ P "T" and XSS 173161-1B STERLING Ⓗ P "T". 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.
