Vinyl pressings
by Rose Laurens · 1986
American Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 3 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 248 812-7 ARunout A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 248 812-7 BRunout B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 248 812-7 A D 19Runout A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 248 812- ̶0̶ 7 B 9Runout B, variant 2
R / S ALSDORF 248811-0 A 248812-0 A 8Runout side A, variant 1
R / S ALSDORF 248811-0 B 248812-0 B 7 A 8Runout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 248811-0 A 248812-0 A 3Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 248811-0 B 248812-0 B DK 5Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
PASH-12-64-A LYN-18179-1T ·Z· ① AA-side runout, etched
PASH-12-64-B LYN-18180-1T ·Z· ① AB-side runout, etched
PASH 12 64 A*Label, A-side
PASH 12 64 B*Label, B-side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Europe | WEA 248 812-0First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1986 | Portugal | Victoria 533-M-VRPFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Portugal | Victoria 507-S-VRPFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1986 | UK | Passion PASH 64First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | WEA 248 812-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Passion PASH 12 64First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Portugal | Victoria 507-S-VRP7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | South Africa | P.V.B Music PVB 7/1507", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Spain | Key Records Int. KRI-02512", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Spain | Key Records Int. KRI-70257", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Spain | Key Records Int. KRI-02512", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Italy | Limited Edition Records LE 01112", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | Passion PASH 12 6412", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
13 vinyl pressings of American Love are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1986 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Europe, UK, Portugal. One of them is WEA 248 812-7, released January 24, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 248 812-7, 248 812-0, PASH 12 64, PASH 64) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 248 812-7 A and R/S Alsdorf 248 812-7 B. 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.
