Vinyl pressings
by Madonna · 1998
Ray Of Light was first pressed on vinyl in 1998. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1998, 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.
0-44523-RE1-A-SR1 STERLINGSide A
0-44523-RE1-SR₁-B STERLINGSide B
0-44523-RE1-C-SR1 STERLINGSide C
0-44523-RE1-D-SR1 STERLINGSide D
W0444 LC AI DAMONTRunout side A
W0444 LC BI DAMONTRunout side B
W0444LC A*Label side A
W0444LC B*Label side B
7-17206.A-SR1 STERLINGSide A, etched
7-17206.B-SR1 STERLINGSide B, etched
SAM 3268 A1 -DAVE WILLIAMS, c/o MASTERPIECE DAMONT DSide A, etched
SAM 3268 B1 2 DAMONT -DAVE WILLIAMS, c/o MASTERPIECESide B, etched
SAM 3269 A1 -DAVE WILLIAMS, c/o MASTERPIECE DAMONT ASide A runout
SAM 3269 B1 -DAVE WILLIAMS, c/o MASTERPIECE DAMONT ASide B runout
SAM 3247 A1 DAMONT -Side A, etched
SAM 3247 B1 DAMONT -Side B, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Europe | Maverick W0444T / Warner Bros. Records 9362-44522-0First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1998 | Europe | Maverick W0444T / Warner Bros. Records 9362-44522-0First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1998 | Italy | WEA PROMO 563First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1998 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W0444LCFirst year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox |
| 1998 | UK & Europe | Maverick W0444T / Warner Bros. Records 9362-44522-0First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1998 | US | Maverick PRO-A-9333-AFirst year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Advance, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Advance, Promo · Promo |
| 1998 | US | Maverick PRO-A-9327First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1998 | US | Maverick PRO-A-9359First year12", Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1998 | US | Maverick 7-17206First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1998 | UK & Europe | Maverick W0444T / Warner Bros. Records 9362-44522-0First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1998 | UK | Maverick SAM 3268 / Warner Bros. Records SAM 3268First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1998 | UK | Maverick SAM 3269First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1998 | UK | Maverick SAM 3247First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1998 | UK | Maverick SAM 3248 / Warner Bros. Records SAM 3248First yearPromo, 12" · Promo | Promo, 12" · Promo |
| 1998 | US | Maverick 9 44523-0 / Warner Bros. Records 0-44523First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label (Madonna) LAR 00412", Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial |
16 vinyl pressings of Ray Of Light are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1998, in US, UK, UK & Europe, Europe and more. One of them is Maverick 9 44523-0, released June 23, 1998.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9 44523-0, W0444LC, 7-17206, SAM 3268) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 0-44523-RE1-A-SR1 STERLING and 0-44523-RE1-SR₁-B STERLING. 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.
