Vinyl pressings
by Michael Bolton · 1991
When A Man Loves A Woman was first pressed on vinyl in 1991. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1991, the album's first year, in 7 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.
01 657488 00 1A1 ARunout side A, variant 1
01 657488 00 1B1 ARunout side B, variant 1
01 657488 00 1A1 ARunout side A, variant 2
01 ̷5̷ 657488 00 1B1 ARunout side B, variant 2
31 657488 04 ̶1̶̶A̶̶1 2A1Runout side A, stamped
31 657488 04 1B1Runout side B, stamped
ZSS74020A-1A G1 (A) A1 VLADORunout, side A, etched
ZSS74020B-1A G1 (A) A2 VLADORunout, side B, etched
ZSS 74020ALabel side A
ZSS 74020BLabel side B
QCL-45-10380-A RICH
QCL-45-10380-B RICH
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Brazil | Columbia 51.557First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1991 | Europe | Columbia 657488 7 / Columbia COL 657488 7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1991 | Europe | Columbia COL 657488 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1991 | Europe | Columbia 657488 7 / Columbia COL 657488 7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1991 | Mexico | CBS PRLP-95555First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1991 | Philippines | Columbia QCL 45-10380First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1991 | Spain | CBS/Sony ARIC 0061First year7", Promo, Single Sided · Promo | 7", Promo, Single Sided · Promo |
| 1991 | UK | Columbia 657488 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | US | Columbia 38-74020First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Costa Rica | Columbia 71667917", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of When A Man Loves A Woman are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1991, in Europe, UK, US, Philippines and more. One of them is Columbia 657488 7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 657488 7, COL 657488 6, 38-74020, QCL 45-10380) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 01 657488 00 1A1 A and 01 657488 00 1B1 A. 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.
