Vinyl pressings
by Paul McCartney · 1987
Once Upon A Long Ago was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 13 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.
12R 6170 A-3-1-1-1 DD SRZSide A runout, variant 1
12R 6170 B-1-1-1-3 DDSide B runout, variant 1
12 R 6170 A-3-1-1-2 DD SRZSide A runout, variant 2
12R 6170 B-2-1-1-2 DDSide B runout, variant 2
12RX 6170 A-2-1-1-1Runout, A-side, var. 1
12RX 6170 B-2-1-1-1Runout, B-side, var. 1
12RX 6170 A-1-1-1-4 DDRunout, A-side, var. 2
12RX 6170 B-1-1-1-2 DDRunout, B-side, var. 2
12R 6170 A-1-1-2-1 DSide A runout, variant 1
12R 6170 B-1-1-1- DDSide B runout, variant 1
12R 6170 A-1-1-2-11 DSide A runout, variant 2
12R 6170 B-2-1-1- DDSide B runout, variant 2
R 6170 A - 5 - 1 - 1 - 5Runout, A-side, stamped variant 1
R 6170 B - 1 - 1 - 2 - 11Runout, B-side, stamped variant 1
R 6170 A - 3 - 1 - 2 - 5Runout, A-side, stamped variant 2
R 6170 B - 2 - 1 - 1 - 1 3Runout, B-side, stamped variant 2
R 6170 A-5-1-1-5 DDRunout side A
R 6170 B-1-1-2-11 DRunout side B
2021886-A1A runout, stamped
2021886-B1B runout, stamped
1C K 060-20 2188 6 AA label
1C K 060-20 2188 6 BB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | EMI 6176First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Argentina | EMI DIF 489First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Australasia | Parlophone A2027 / MPL A2027First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | Australasia | Parlophone ED 314First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | Parlophone B-73046First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Parlophone 1C 006-20 2185 7 / Parlophone 006 20 2185 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Parlophone K 060-20 2186 6 / Parlophone 1C K 060-20 2186 6First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Europe | Parlophone 1C 006-20 2185 7 / Parlophone 006 20 2185 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Parlophone 1C 006-2021857 / Parlophone 006 20 2185 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | Parlophone 2021857 / MPL 2021857First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | Parlophone 2021866First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | France | Parlophone 2021857", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Ireland | Parlophone R 6170 / MPL R 6170First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Italy | Parlophone 06 2021857 / MPL 06 2021857First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Italy | Parlophone 14 2021886 / MPL 14 2021886First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Parlophone A 20277", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
34 vinyl pressings of Once Upon A Long Ago are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, Europe, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is Parlophone 12R 6170, released November 16, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12R 6170, 12 RX 6170, R 6170, K 060 20 2188 6) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12R 6170 A-3-1-1-1 DD SRZ and 12R 6170 B-1-1-1-3 DD. 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.
