Vinyl pressings
by Randy Newman · 1981
Ragtime was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
5E-565-A5-RE-SH-SP + SLM + △972 SP. SM2-2Side A Etched variant 1
5E-565-B SH-SP + SP. SLM + △972-X 0-1 SM1-2Side B Etched variant 1
5E-565-A5-RE-SH-SP + SLM + △972 O-2 SM2-1Side A Etched except SLM Stamped, variant 2
5E-[s]6[/s]565-B1 SH-SP + SLM + △972-X [s]B[/s]-[s]1[/s] 0-1 SM2-1 SP0-1 SM1-2Side B Etched except SLM Stamped, variant 2
5E-565-A5-RE-SH-SP + SLM+ Δ 972 SP 03A Side - Hand Etched
5E-(ROSE SYMBOL?) 565-B1 SH-SP + SLM+ Δ972-X
SLIN-3173-ALabel side A
SLIN-3173-BLabel side B
MX199557Side A Label
MX199558Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | Elektra ELK K 52 342 / Elektra ELK 52 342First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Australia | Elektra 5E-565First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | Elektra 5E-565First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | Elektra 22.038First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Elektra X5E-565First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | Elektra ELK K 52 342 / Elektra ELK 52 342First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Elektra ELK 52 342First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | Elektra 52342LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Greece | Elektra 52342First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Elektra 5E-565First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Portugal | Elektra ELE 52342First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Elektra 5E-565First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Elektra 5E-565First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Elektra 5E-565First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Elektra 5E-565First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of Ragtime are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Argentina, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Elektra 5E-565.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5E-565, ELK K 52 342, 22.038, X5E-565) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5E-565-A5-RE-SH-SP + SLM + △972 SP. SM2-2 and 5E-565-B SH-SP + SP. SLM + △972-X 0-1 SM1-2. 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.
