Vinyl pressings
by Mariah Carey · 1995
Fantasy was first pressed on vinyl in 1995. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1995, the album's first year, in 3 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- 78060- A HERbIE Ta (Face) DMM 2Side A runout
HERbIE Ta (Face) XSS- 78060 - B DMM I - ISide B runout
HERbIE Ta (Face) XSS- 78061 - A DMM I - ISide C runout
HERbIE Ta (Face) XSS- 78061 - B DMM 3Side D runout
ZSS 78043A-1AA-side runout
ZSS 78043B-1AB-side runout
ZSS 78043AA-side label
ZSS 78043BB-side label
01-662461 20 1A1 31 2246 20 1A1 ARunout side A
01 662461 20 2B1 XSS-78060-BRunout side B
01 662461 20 1C1 XSS-78061-ARunout side C
01 662461 20 1D1 XSS-78061-BRunout side D
01 662461 04 1A1Side A
01 662461 04 1B1Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Europe | Columbia 662461 6 / Columbia COL 662461 6First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1995 | Europe | Columbia SAMP 3042First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1995 | Europe | Columbia 662461 7 / Columbia COL 662461 7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1995 | Europe | Columbia 662461 7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1995 | UK | Columbia XPR 2246First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1995 | US | Columbia 44X 78044First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1995 | US | Columbia 38-78043First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | US | Columbia 194399280812 / Legacy 19439928081212", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Columbia D-015112", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| ? | UK | Not On Label MC 0112", Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
10 vinyl pressings of Fantasy are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1995 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1995, in US, UK, Europe. One of them is Columbia 44X 78044.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 44X 78044, 38-78043, XPR 2246, 662461 6) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS- 78060- A HERbIE Ta (Face) DMM 2 and HERbIE Ta (Face) XSS- 78060 - B DMM I - I. 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.
