Vinyl pressings
by Robert Plant · 1988
Now And Zen 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.
24 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 18 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.
R/S Alsdorf 790863-1 A2x ST-ES-876701-DMM-B STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 790863-1 Bxx ST-ES-876702-DMM-D STERLING UKRunout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 790863-1-A2 ST-ES-876701-DMM-B 2-1 SPGER 34 STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 790863-1-B ST-ES-876702-DMM-D SP-15 SP-GER 45 STERLINGRunout side B, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 790863-1-A2Runout side A, stamped
ST-ES-876701-DMM-B 2-1 SPGER Sterling 40Runout side A, etched
R/S Alsdorf 790863-1-BRunout side B, stamped
ST-ES-876702 DMM-D SP 1-5 SP-GER Sterling 53Runout side B, etched
ST-ES-876701-DMM-B - SterlingRunout Side 1, variant 1
ST-ES-876702-DMM-D - SterlingRunout Side 2, variant 1
ST-ES-876701-DMM-B SP1-1 SterlingRunout Side 1, variant 2
ST-ES-876702-DMM-D SP1-2 SterlingRunout Side 2, variant 2
ST-ES-876701-DMM-B SP1-3 SPAR STERLING "Delta"194 36 B-30209-DMM-BSide A runout, variant 1
ST-ES-876702-DMM-D SP1-4 SPAR STERLING "Delta"194 36-X B-30210-DMM-DSide B runout, variant 1
ST-ES-876701-DMM-B SP1-3 SPAR Δ 19436 0- B-36209 DMM B SterlingSide A runout, variant 2
ST-ES-876702-DMM-D SP1-3 SP-AR Δ 19436-X 0- B-30210 DMM D SterlingSide B runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | Atlantic 80723 / Es Paranza Records 80723First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Argentina | Atlantic 80723 / Es Paranza Records 80723First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Australia & New Zealand | Es Paranza Records 90863.1 / Es Paranza Records 90863-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Bolivia | WEA WL - 1037 / WEA WL-1-037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Brazil | Atlantic 670.4104First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Canada | Es Paranza Records 79 08631First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Es Paranza Records 79 08631First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Es Paranza Records A1 90863LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1988 | Europe | Es Paranza Records WX 149 / Es Paranza Records 790 863-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Es Paranza Records 790 863-1 / Es Paranza Records WX 149First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | Es Paranza Records 790 863-1 / Atlantic 790 863-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | Es Paranza Records 790 863-1 / Atlantic 790 863-1LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Ireland | Es Paranza Records 790 863-1 / Es Paranza Records WX 149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Israel | Atlantic BAN 790863-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Italy | Es Paranza Records 79 0863-1 / Es Paranza Records 790863-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
32 vinyl pressings of Now And Zen are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1988 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in Europe, US, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is Es Paranza Records WX 149.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WX 149, 790 863-1, 7 90863-1, 90863-A1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 790863-1 A2x ST-ES-876701-DMM-B STERLING and R/S Alsdorf 790863-1 Bxx ST-ES-876702-DMM-D STERLING UK. 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.
