Vinyl pressings
by R.E.M. · 1984
Reckoning was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. 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 1984, 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.
SP070044-A ES1••|| [Trumpet logo] EMWSide A runout
AM SP070044-B ES5•• [Trumpet logo] EMWSide B runout
SP-070044-ASide A label
SP-070044-BSide B label
SPO 70044-A-M2 STERLING ⚾︎ MR∆26395Side A runout, variant 1
SPO 70044-B-M1 MR∆26395X STERLING ⚾︎Side B runout, variant 1
SPO 70044-A.M2 MR △ 26395 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
SPO 70044-B.M1 MR △ 26395x STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
SPO 70044-A-M2 STERLING ⚾︎ MR∆26395Side A runout
SPO 70044-B-M1 MR∆26395X STERLING ⚾︎Side B runout
SP-070044-ASide A label
SP-070044-BSide B label
SPO 70044-A-ES1 EMW STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
AM SPO70044-B ES5•• EMWSide B runout, variant 1
SPO 70044-A-ES1 EMW STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
AM SPO70044-B ES2 EMWSide B runout, variant 2
SPO 70044-A-RCA1 F-Side A, runout, etched, variant 1
SPO 70044B-RCA1 Ⓗ B-Side B, runout, etched, variant 1
SPO 70044-A-RCA1 A-Side A, runout, etched, variant 2
SPO 70044B-RCA1 Ⓗ F-Side B, runout, etched, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Illegal Records ELPS 4439 / I.R.S. Records ELPS 4439First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Illegal Records ELPS 4439First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australia | I.R.S. Records ELPS 4439First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | I.R.S. Records SP 70044First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILP 25915 / I.R.S. Records 25915First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILP 25915 / I.R.S. Records 25915First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | Greece | I.R.S. Records 25915 / Illegal Records ILP 25915First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony CYA 1001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Israel | I.R.S. Records SP70044 / I.R.S. Records CBS 25195First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Illegal Records ELPS 4439First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Epic ELPS 4439First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Philippines | Epic QEL-25119First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | I.R.S. Records ILP 25915First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | I.R.S. Records SP70044 / I.R.S. Records SP-70044First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | I.R.S. Records SP70044 / I.R.S. Records SP-70044First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-261 / I.R.S. Records MFSL 1-261LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | US | I.R.S. Records B0013029-01 / UMe B0013029-01LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Unknown | I.R.S. Records B0013029-01 / UMe B0013029-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2026 | US | IRS 199957881241 / A&M Records 199957881241LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
36 vinyl pressings of Reckoning are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1984 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, UK & Ireland, Japan and more. One of them is I.R.S. Records SP70044, released April 14, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP70044, SP 70044, IRSA 7045, 28AP 2847) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP070044-A ES1••|| [Trumpet logo] EMW and AM SP070044-B ES5•• [Trumpet logo] EMW. 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.
