Vinyl pressings
by Public Enemy · 1991
Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black was first pressed on vinyl in 1991. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1991, 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.
AL 48640-1A DG1 (A) VLADO A 6 XSSSide A runout groove hand-etched and stamped, Variant 1
BL 48640-1A DG1 (A) VLADO A 8Side B runout groove hand-etched and stamped, Variant 1
AL 48641-1A DG1 (A) VLADO A3Side C runout groove hand-etched and stamped, Variant 1
BL 48641-1A DG1 (A) VLADO A5Side D runout groove hand-etched and stamped, Variant 1
C 48640Side 2 Label
C 48641Side 3 and 4 Labels
AL 48640-1A DG1 (A) VLADO A 4 XSS(strikethrough)Side 1
BL 48640-1A DG1 (A) VLADO A 10Side 2
01 468751 20 1A1Stamped runout side A
01 468751 20 2B1Stamped runout side B
01 468751 20 1C1Stamped runout side C
01 468751 20 1D1Stamped runout side D
C 48640Side A and B labels
C 48641Side C and D labels
AL 48640Side A label
BL 48640Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Brazil | Columbia 188.218-9 / 1-468751First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Europe | Def Jam Recordings 468751 1 / Columbia 468751 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Europe | Def Jam Recordings C2 47374 / Columbia C2 47374First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1991 | Greece | Def Jam Recordings COL 468751 1 / Columbia COL 468751 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Jamaica | Def Jam Recordings C2 47374 / Columbia C2 47374First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | South Africa | Columbia SCBS 3428First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Spain | Def Jam Recordings 468751 1 / Def Jam Recordings DEF 468751 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Spain | Def Jam Recordings 468751 1 / Def Jam Recordings DEF 468751 1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1991 | US | Def Jam Recordings C2 47374 / Columbia C2 47374First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | US | Def Jam Recordings C2 47374 / Columbia C2 47374First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Def Jam Recordings 534087 9LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | US | Def Jam Recordings B0023380-01 / UMe B0023380-01LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2015 | US | Def Jam Recordings B0023380-01 / UMe B0023380-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | US | Def Jam Recordings B0023380-01 / UMe B0023380-01LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
14 vinyl pressings of Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1991 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1991, in US, Brazil, Europe, Greece and more. One of them is Def Jam Recordings C2 47374.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C2 47374, 188.218-9 / 1-468751, 468751 1, COL 468751 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 48640-1A DG1 (A) VLADO A 6 XSS and BL 48640-1A DG1 (A) VLADO A 8. 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.
It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
1988 · 40 pressings
Fear Of A Black Planet
1990 · 32 pressings
Fight The Power (Extended Version)
1989 · 20 pressings
Yo! Bum Rush The Show
1987 · 20 pressings
Don't Believe The Hype / Prophets Of Rage
1988 · 19 pressings
Night Of The Living Baseheads
1988 · 19 pressings
