Vinyl pressings
by Missing Persons · 1984
Rhyme & Reason was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 15 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-1-12315-Z1 #1 0Side A Runout - Variation 1 Etched, except the final "0" is stamped.
ST-2-12315-Z1 #3 0Side B Runout - Variation 1 Etched, except the final "0" is stamped.
ST-1-12315-Z1 #2 0Side A Runout - Variation 2 Etched, except the final "0" is stamped
ST-2-12315-Z1 #2 0Side B Runout - Variation 2 Etched, except the final "0" is stamped
ST-1-12315-Z5 —◁Side A, variant 1
ST-2-12315-Z4 —◁Side B, variant 1
ST-1-12315-Z6 #2 —◁Side A, variant 2
ST-2-12315-Z4 —◁Side B, variant 2
ST1-12315 1S 8 4-4Side 1
ST2-12315 1S 5Side 2
SLEM-1200-A II-VI-84 T-IISide A, Handmade
SLEM-1200-B 2-VI-84 JE T-ISide B, Handmade
ST-1-12315A-Side Label
ST-2-12315B-Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | Capitol Records 81 2401041 / Capitol Records 8225First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Argentina | Capitol Records 81 2401041 / Capitol Records 8225First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australia | Capitol Records ST.240104First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C 064 240104First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Capitol Records ST 512315LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-12315First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Capitol Records 1C 064 2401041First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Capitol Records 1C 064 2401041LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1984 | France | Capitol Records 2401041First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | Capitol Records 64 2401041First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Peru | Capitol Records ST-12315First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Portugal | Capitol Records 7123151First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | South Africa | Capitol Records ST(D) 12315First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | Capitol Records 064-24 0104 1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Spain | Capitol Records 064-24 0104 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
23 vinyl pressings of Rhyme & Reason are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Japan, Mexico, Argentina and more. One of them is Capitol Records ST-12315.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-12315, ECS-81636, SLEM-1200, 81 2401041) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-12315-Z1 #1 0 and ST-2-12315-Z1 #3 0. 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.
