Vinyl pressings
by Melba Moore · 1982
The Other Side Of The Rainbow was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 9 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.
ST-1-12243-Z1 #1 HERbiE JR :-) ⓂVariant 1 Runout, Side A, etched
ST-2-12243-Z5 #1 HERbiE JR :-)Variant 1 Runout, Side B, etched
ST-1-12243-Z3 HERbiE JR :-) Ⓢ [ Symbol ]Variant 2 Runout, Side A, etched
ST-2-12243-Z3 HERbiE JR :-) Ⓢ [ Symbol ]Variant 2 Runout, Side B, etched
ST-I-I2243-Z3 HERbiE JR :-) ⓢ ─◁etched side A, variant 1
ST-2-I2243-Z3 #2 HERbiE JR :-) ⓢ ─◁etched side B, variant 1
ST-I-I2243-Z3 #4 HERbiE JR :-) ⓢ ─◁etched side A, variant 2
ST-2-I2243-Z3 #2 HERbiE JR :-) ⓢ ─◁etched side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Barbados | Capitol Records ST-12243First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Barbados | Capitol Records ST-12243First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-12243First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Capitol Records 1A 064-400134First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | France | Capitol Records 2C 068-400.134First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-81559 (ST2-12243)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-81559 (ST2-12243)First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Portugal | Capitol Records 11C 078-400134First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Capitol Records ST-12243First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | UK | Capitol Records EST 12243First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Capitol Records ST-12243First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Capitol Records ST-12243First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Philippines | Capitol Records ST-12243LP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of The Other Side Of The Rainbow are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1982 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Barbados, Canada and more. One of them is Capitol Records ST-12243.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-12243, EST 12243, 1A 064-400134, 2C 068-400.134) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-12243-Z1 #1 HERbiE JR :-) Ⓜ and ST-2-12243-Z5 #1 HERbiE JR :-). 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.
