Vinyl pressings
by Rainbow · 1976
Rainbow Rising was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
58 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 22 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.
2490137 A//1 O 11Side A, machine stamped (var.1)
2490137 B//2 OSide B, machine stamped (var.1)
2Side B, machine stamped (var.1)
11Stamped on both sides (var.1)
2490137 A//2 ST OY-1-1601-A5-RE-1 STERLING 1Runout side A, etched / stamped, variant 1
2490137 B//3 MD OY-1-1601-B-1 MASTERDISK G. K.Runout side B, etched / stamped, variant 1
2490137 A//2 ST STERLING OY-1-1601-A5-RE-1Runout side A, etched / stamped, variant 2
2490137 B//3 MD 23 12 MASTERDISK G. K. OY-1-1601-B-2Runout side B, etched / stamped, variant 2
2490137 A//2 ST STERLINGSide A Stamped (Variant 1)
OY-1-1601-A5-RE-1Side A Etched (Variant 1)
2490137 B//1 O MASTERDISKSide B Stamped (Variant 1)
OY1-1601 B-1 G.K.Side B Etched (Variant 1)
2490137 A//3 MD 11 MASTERDISKSide A stamped, Variant 1
OY-1-1601 A-2 G. K.Side A etched, Variant 1
2490137 B//3 MD 11 MASTERDISKSide B stamped, Variant 1
OY-1-1601 B-2 G. K.Side B etched, Variant 1
2490137 A//2 STSide A, machine stamped
2490137 B//3 1 2 MDSide B, machine stamped
OY1-1601 A-5 RE1Side A, hand etched
OY1-1601 B-2Side B, hand etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Argentina | Polydor 5347 / Polydor 2391 224First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Australasia | Oyster 2391 224 / Polydor 2391 224First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Australia | Oyster 2391 224 / Polydor 2391 224First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Australia | Oyster 2391 224 / Polydor 2391 224First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Austria | Polydor 2391 224 / Oyster 2391 224First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Brazil | Oyster 2391 224 / Polydor 2391 224First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | Oyster OY-1-1601First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Oyster OY-1-1601 / Polydor 2391 224First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Polydor 2391 224 / Oyster 2391 224First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Polydor 2391 224 / Oyster 2391 224First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Polydor 2391 224 / Oyster 2391 224First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor 2391 224 / Oyster 2391 224First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Oyster 2391 224 / Polydor 2391 224First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor 2391 224 / Oyster 2391 224First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Greece | Polydor 2391 224 / Oyster 2391 224First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | Polydor MPX 4024 / Oyster MPX 4024LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 1981 | Japan | Oyster 23MM 0022 / Polydor 23MM 0022LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Oyster 23MM 0022 / Polydor 23MM 0022LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Japan | Polydor 20MM 9226 / Oyster 20MM 9226LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor 2490 137 / Oyster 2490 137LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Japan | Polydor 20MM 9226LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | Polydor SPELP 35 / Polydor 2490 137LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Mexico | Polydor LPR 16466 / Polydor 2391 224LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Oyster SPELP 35 / Polydor SPELP 35LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor SPELP7-PLP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| 1984 | Europe | Polydor 823 655-1 / Polydor 823655-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Mexico | Polydor 822 314-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Spain | Polydor 23 91 224 / Oyster 23 91 224LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | US | Oyster OY-1-1601 / Polydor 2391 224LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Brazil | Polydor 2391 224LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | UK | Back On Black RCV021LPLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2011 | UK | Back On Black RCV021LPLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2012 | US | Wax Cathedral MELT-009LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2013 | UK | Back On Black RCV021LPTD / Back On Black RCV021LPLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2013 | US | Wax Cathedral MELT-009LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2015 | Europe | Polydor 5353583LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2018 | USA & Europe | Polydor 5353583LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Polydor 5353583LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 2022 | Italy | PolydorLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Oyster MIP-1-9339 / Polydor MIP-1-9339LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Oyster OY-1-1601LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Polydor MIP-1-9339 / Oyster MIP-1-9339LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Polydor 2391 224LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Polydor 2391 224LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2929 098LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2929 098 / Oyster 2929 098LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2929 098LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2929 098 / Oyster 2929 098LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Germany | Oyster 2391 224 / Polydor 2391 224LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | Oyster 2391 224 / Polydor 2391 224LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | Polydor 2391 224 / Oyster 2391 224LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | Greece | Oyster 823 655-1 / Polydor 823 655-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | Polydor 2391 224 A / Oyster 2391 224 ALP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | Netherlands | Polydor 2482 478LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
134 vinyl pressings of Rainbow Rising are listed here, from 30 countries, released between 1976 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is Oyster 2490 137.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2490 137, OY-1-1601, OY 1601, MWF 1004) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2490137 A//1 O 11 and 2490137 B//2 O. 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.
