Vinyl pressings
by Mariah Carey · 1999
Rainbow was first pressed on vinyl in 1999. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1999, the album's first year, in 2 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.
63952-AL AABAJRunout A-side, etched, variant 1
63952BL AABAJRunout B-side, etched, variant 1
63953-AL AABAJRunout C-side, etched, variant 1
63953/BL AABAJRunout D-side, etched, variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Netherlands | Columbia COL 495065 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1999 | US | Columbia C2 63800First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Columbia 19439776431 / Legacy 19439776431LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2020 | US | Columbia 19439776431 / Legacy 19439776431LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2020 | US | Columbia 19439776451 / Legacy 19439776451LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | US | Columbia 19439776451 / Legacy 19439776451LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | US | Columbia 19439776451 / Legacy 19439776451LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | US | Columbia 19439776451 / Legacy 19439776451LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | Europe | Columbia 19658892881 / Legacy 19658892881LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc |
| 2024 | US | Columbia 19658892881 / Legacy 19658892881LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| 2024 | Japan | Sony Records Int'l SIJP 202LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Picture disc |
11 vinyl pressings of Rainbow are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1999 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1999, in US, Netherlands. One of them is Columbia C2 63800.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C2 63800, COL 495065 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 63952-AL AABAJ and 63952BL AABAJ. 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.
