Vinyl pressings
by Michael Jackson · 1991
Dangerous 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.
23 pressings came out in 1991, the album's first year, in 20 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.
PAL 48841-1A G1 (A) A8Side 1 runout, variant 1
PBL 48841-1A G1 (A) A5Side 2 runout, variant 1
PAL 48842-1A G1 (A) B2Side 3 runout, variant 1
PBL 48842-1B G1 (A) B2Side 4 runout, variant 1
EL 237.001 A 1-465802 ET-45400/A NS -1-6-8Runout A Side Etched, Variant 1
EL 237.001 BⅠ 1-465802 (P)1991 ET-45400/B NS -1-5-9Runout B Side Etched, Variant 1
EL 237.002 A DISCO2 1-465802 ET-45400/C -1-2-10 (P)1991 NRunout C Side Etched, Variant 1
DISCO 2 ET-45400/D 1-465802 237.002 BRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Argentina | Epic 50.017/18 / Epic 50017First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Bolivia | Columbia LP - 20641First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Brazil | Epic 237.001-2/1-465802 / Epic 237.001-2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | Brazil | Epic 237.001-2 / 1-465802First yearLP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1991 | Canada | Epic E2 45400First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Colombia | Epic EP2S465802First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Costa Rica | Epic 1465802First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Ecuador | Epic 5775506/7 / Epic EZ 45400First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Ecuador | Epic 5775506/7 / Epic EZ 45400First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1991 | Europe | Epic 465802 1 / Epic EPC 465802 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | Greece | Epic 465802 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Hungary | MMC Records PL MMC 9353First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Jamaica | Epic E 48841 / Epic E 48842First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Philippines | Epic QELLP-25318First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | Poland | MJM Music PL MJM 125 / Epic 465802 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP072 / Epic 88697686291LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2015 | US | Epic 88875120931 / Legacy 88875120931LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2015 | Europe | Epic 88875120931 / Legacy 88875120931LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2015 | US | Epic 88875120931 / Legacy 88875120931LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2018 | Europe | Epic 88875120931 / Legacy 88875120931LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2018 | Europe | Epic 190758664415 / Legacy 190758664415LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| 2018 | Europe | Epic 190758664415 / Legacy 190758664415LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc |
| 2018 | USA & Canada | Epic 190758664415 / Legacy 190758664415LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Epic 88875120931 / Legacy 88875120931LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2021 | US | Epic 19439888701 / Epic 88875120931LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | Europe | Epic 19439889101 / Legacy 19439889101LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | Europe | Epic 88875120931 / Legacy 88875120931LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2025 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL2-571 / Epic MFSL2-571LP, Album, Numbered, Reissue, Special Edition, Stereo · Numbered | LP, Album, Numbered, Reissue, Special Edition, Stereo · Numbered |
40 vinyl pressings of Dangerous are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1991 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1991, in US, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and more. One of them is Epic E2 45400, released November 26, 1991.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use E2 45400, 50.017/18, LP - 20641, 237.001-2/1-465802) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL 48841-1A G1 (A) A8 and PBL 48841-1A G1 (A) A5. 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.
