Vinyl pressings
by Martika · 1989
Toy Soldiers was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 12 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.
ZSS-68747 A 1A G1 A1Runout, Side A, Etched, Variant 1
ZSS-68747-B A1 G1 A6Runout, Side B, Etched, Variant 1
ZSS-68747 A 1A G1 A7Runout, Side A, Etched, Variant 2
ZSS-68747-B A1 G1 A7Runout, Side B, Etched, Variant 2
655049-7-A1Runout etching A side, variant 1
655049 7 A2Runout etching A side, variant 2
655049-7-B1Runout etching B side
655049 7 A*Label A side
6550498 A2 ⋀Side A runout
655049-8-B-1 ⋀Side B runout
655049 8 A*Side A label
655049 8 B*Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | CBS 655049 7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Australia | CBS 655049 6First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Brazil | Epic 52.162First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Canada | Columbia 38 68747First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Costa Rica | CBS 7655049First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Ecuador | CBS 133-1159First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | CBS 655049 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | CBS 655049 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | Ireland | CBS 655049 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Japan | CBS/Sony XDSP 93115First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Mexico | CBS PRLP-95095First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Spain | CBS CBS 655049 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | Spain | CBS ARIC 2237First year7", Single Sided, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", Single Sided, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | CBS 655049 0 / CBS 655049 7First year7", Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 7", Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1989 | UK | CBS 655049 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Costa Rica | CBS 76558407", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
23 vinyl pressings of Toy Soldiers are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1989 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia 38-68747.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 38-68747, DBS 81099, 655049 7, 655049 8) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS-68747 A 1A G1 A1 and ZSS-68747-B A1 G1 A6. 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.
