Vinyl pressings
by Paul Simon · 1986
Graceland was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
STERLING SRC 7·28522 -A-SR 1 1-1Runout A etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ SRC stamps)
STERLING SRC 7 28522 BSR2 1-1Runout B etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ SRC stamps)
SRC 7·28522-DJ-SR 2 1-1Runout A etched (SRC stamp)
STERLING SRC 7·28522 -A-SR 1 1-1Runout B etched (SRC sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamps)
7-28522-DJLabel A
7-28522-ALabel B
7-28522-AA
7-28522-DJB
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 7-28522First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 85227First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 85227First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | France | Warner Bros. Records 928 522-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Ireland | Warner Bros. Records W 8349First year7" | 7" |
| 1986 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records 92 8522-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W 8349 / Warner Bros. Records 928 349-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W 8349TFirst year12" | 12" |
| 1986 | US | Warner Bros. Records PRO-A-2610First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-28522First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-28522First year45 RPM, 7", Single, Promo · Promo | 45 RPM, 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-27903First year7" | 7" |
| 1986 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-27903First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-28522First year45 RPM, 7", Single, Promo · Promo | 45 RPM, 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-28522 / Warner Bros. Records 9 28522-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
21 vinyl pressings of Graceland are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1986 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 7-28522, released October 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-28522, 7-27903, PRO-A-2610, W 8349) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STERLING SRC 7·28522 -A-SR 1 1-1 and STERLING SRC 7 28522 BSR2 1-1. 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.
