Vinyl pressings
by Prince · 1988
Alphabet St. was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
30 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
7-72900-A SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-20104-SH1 △ 20203 1-1Side A runout, etched/stamped
7-72900-B SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-20105-SH1 △ 20203-X 1-1Side B runout, etched/stamped
7-27900-A SR1 1-1 [SRC logo]Side A runout
7-27900-B SR-1 1-1 [SRC logo]Side B runout
7-27900-ASide A label
7-27900-BSide B label
0-20930-A-SHI [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-30977-SH' △ 20310Side A, etched/stamped
0-20930-B-SHI [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-30978-SHI △ 20310-XSide B, etched/stamped
[SRC logo] 0-20930-A-SR1 1-1Side A runout
[SRC logo] 0-20930-B-SR1 1-1Side B runout
[SRC logo] 0-20930-A-SRISide A runout
[SRC logo] 0-20930-B-SRISide B runout
0-20930-A-SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-30977-SH1 △ 20310 1-2Side A
0-20930-B-SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-30978-SH1 △ 20310-X 1-2Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia & New Zealand | Paisley Park 0-20930First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Australia & New Zealand | Paisley Park 7-27900First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Canada | Paisley Park 92 09300First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | Paisley Park 92 79007First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | Paisley Park PRO 79007First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Ecuador | Warner Bros. Records 7-27900 / Warner Bros. Records 45-80141First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Paisley Park 920 930-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Europe | Paisley Park 920 930-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Europe | Paisley Park 927 900-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | France | Paisley Park 927900-7 / Paisley Park 927 900-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records PRO-265First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBS 537First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Spain | Paisley Park 950First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | Paisley Park W 7900 TFirst year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1988 | US | Paisley Park 0-20930First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
30 vinyl pressings of Alphabet St. are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, Europe, Japan and more. One of them is Paisley Park 7-27900, released April 23, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-27900, 0-20930, W 7900, W 7900 (T)) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7-72900-A SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-20104-SH1 △ 20203 1-1 and 7-72900-B SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-20105-SH1 △ 20203-X 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.
