Vinyl pressings
by Pet Shop Boys · 1987
Rent 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.
26 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 11 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 6168 A-1-1-1 DRunout side A variant 1
12R 6168 B-1-1-2 21 2 DRunout side B variant 1
12R 6168 A-1-1-1 DRunout side A variant 2
12R 6168 B-2-1-1-1 DRunout side B variant 2
D R6168 A-1-1-Q2-X1Runout side A, variant 1
D R6168 B-1-1-Q1-3Runout side B, variant 1
D R6 163 A-1-1-Q2- 1 1Runout side A, variant 2
D 6163 B-2-1-Q2- 6Runout side B, variant 2
R6168 A-1-1-1-1 D DRunout side A
R6168 B-2-1-1-X1 D DRunout side B
DD R6168 A-1-1-1-Runout side A
DD R 6168 B-2-1-1-Runout side B
Side A: A 2023 ARun-Out
Side B: A 2023 BRun-Out
2021526-A1 1Runout side A, stamped, '1' etched
2021526-B1 1Runout side B, stamped, '1' etched
1C K 060-20 2152 6 ASide A label
1C K 060-20 2152 6 BSide B 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 | Australia | Parlophone ED 313First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Parlophone 1C 006-20 2151 7 / Parlophone 006 20 2151 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Parlophone 1C 006-20 2151 7 / Parlophone 006 20 2151 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Parlophone 006 20 2151 7 / Parlophone 1C 006-20 2151 7First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-20 2151 7First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Greece | Parlophone 052-2021526First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Ireland | Parlophone R6168First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Italy | Parlophone 14 2021526First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Philippines | Parlophone EP-PAL-84X019First year12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | Philippines | Parlophone PAL-61207First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | Portugal | Parlophone 2021517First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | Portugal | Parlophone 2021526First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | South Africa | Parlophone EMIJ 2021517 / Parlophone EMISA-3691First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | South Africa | Parlophone EMIJ 2021517 / Parlophone EMISA-3691First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Spain | EMI-Odeon, S.A. 052 20 2152 6First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
26 vinyl pressings of Rent are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, Australia, Europe, Ireland and more. One of them is Parlophone 12R6168, released October 12, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12R6168, R6168, R 6168, A 2023) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12R 6168 A-1-1-1 D and 12R 6168 B-1-1-2 21 2 D. 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.
