Vinyl pressings
by Mariah Carey · 1998
I Still Believe 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.
10 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.
XSS-79110-A 1Side A runout, variant 1
XSS-79110-B. 1Side B runout, variant 1
XSS-79111A X 1Side C runout, variant 1
XSS-79111B 1Side D runout, variant 1
ZSS-79093-A-1B MASTERDISK AVA-Side Runout Etching
ZSS-79093-A-1B MASTERDISK AVB-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 79093AA-Side Label
ZSS 79093BB-Side Label
XSS 41887ASide A runout, variant 1
XSS 41887BSide B runout, variant 1
XSS-41887-A-2 X 1Side A runout, variant 2
XSS-41887-B-2 X 1Side B runout, variant 2
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 | Columbia 666781 6First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1998 | Italy | Columbia COL 666781 6First year12" | 12" |
| 1998 | Spain | Columbia COL 666781 6First year12" | 12" |
| 1998 | UK | Columbia XPR 2465 / Urban Division XPR 2465First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1998 | US | Columbia 44X 79104First yearLP, Single, Stereo | LP, Single, Stereo |
| 1998 | US | Columbia CAS 41887First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1998 | US | Columbia CAS 41886First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1998 | US | Columbia 38-79093First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1998 | US | Columbia 38-79093First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1998 | US | Columbia SJD12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1998 | UK | Columbia XPR 2464First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of I Still Believe are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1998, in US, UK, Europe, Italy and more. One of them is Columbia 44X 79104.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 44X 79104, 38-79093, XPR 2464, XPR 2465) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS-79110-A 1 and XSS-79110-B. 1. 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.
