Europe
1987- Label and catalog number
- Virgin 208 749Virgin 208 749-630
- Format
- LP, Album · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
DM 208749 A-1/10-87Side A
DM 208749 B-1/10-87 IISide B
Vinyl pressings
The Last Emperor
by Ryuichi Sakamoto · 1987
30 pressings20 countriesSoundtrackContemporaryClassicalScore
The Last Emperor was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of The Last Emperor
17 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 14 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.
US
November 23, 1987- Label and catalog number
- Virgin Movie Music 90690-1Virgin Movie Music 7 90690-1
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
[SRC logo] ST-VR-876659-A Q I-IRunout side A, variant 1
[SRC logo] ST-VR-876660-A Q I-IRunout side B, variant 1
[SRC logo] B-29623-A ST-VR-876659-A [Artisan Sound Recorders logo] 1-2 SP-AR O- △18798Runout side A, variant 2
[SRC logo] B-29624-A ST-VR-876660-A [Artisan Sound Recorders logo] 1-2 SP-AR O- △18798-XRunout side B, variant 2
US
November 23, 1987- Label and catalog number
- Virgin Movie Music 90690-1
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
SRC ST-VR-876659-A [Artisan logo] I-ISide A
SRC ST-VR-876660-A [Artisan logo] I-ISide B
UK
1987- Label and catalog number
- Virgin V 2485
- Format
- LP, Album · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
Run Out Groove SIDE ONE: (Stamped) V 2485 A-2U-1-1-X2Variant 1
Run Out Groove SIDE TWO: (Stamped) XX V X2485 B-1-1-2-X1 DVariant 1
V 2485 A-2U-1-1-1Variant 2 (Side One - Stamped)
XX V X2485 B-1-1-2-1Variant 2 (Side Two - Stamped)
UK
1987- Label and catalog number
- Virgin V 2485
- Format
- LP, Album
Argentina
1987- Label and catalog number
- Virgin TLP-90091
- Format
- LP, Album · Gatefold
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 30 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s26 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | Virgin TLP-90091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australasia | Virgin V 2485First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Virgin VL 2485First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | Virgin 208 749 / Virgin 208 749-630First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | France | Virgin 70570First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Germany | Virgin 208 749-630First yearLP | LP |
| 1987 | Greece | Virgin VG 50318First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Israel | Virgin V 2485First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | Virgin V 2485First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Mexico | Virgin LAE-772First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | South Africa | Virgin VNC 5116First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | Virgin T 208749 / Virgin T 208 749First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | Virgin T 208749 / Virgin T 208 749First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Virgin V 2485First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Virgin V 2485First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
1990s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | South Korea | Virgin V 2485 / Virgin VKPL-0017LP, Album | LP, Album |
2020s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVATM305 / Virgin MOVATM305LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| 2023 | Hong Kong | Virgin Movie Music 5396917LP, 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
Year unknown1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Virgin 208 749 / Virgin 208 749-630LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
Tracklist
- Ryuichi Sakamoto
- A1First Coronation1:45
- A2Open The Door2:55
- A3Where Is Armo?2:26
- A4Picking Up Brides2:39
- A5The Last Emperor - Theme Variation 12:19
- A6Rain (I Want A Divorce)1:50
- A7The Baby (Was Born Dead)0:56
- A8The Last Emperor - Theme Variation 24:29
- A9The Last Emperor - Theme5:52
- David Byrne
- B1Main Title Theme (The Last Emperor)4:01
- B2Picking A Bride1:59
- B3Bed5:00
- B4Wind, Rain And Water2:17
- B5Paper Emperor1:48
- -
- B6Lunch4:02
- B7Red Guard2:13
- B8The Emperor's Waltz3:07
- B9The Red Guard Dance0:37
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Last Emperor are there?
30 vinyl pressings of The Last Emperor are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1987 and 2023.
When was The Last Emperor first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in Europe, US, UK, Argentina and more. One of them is Virgin 208 749.
How do I tell if my copy of The Last Emperor is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 208 749, 90690-1, V 2485, TLP-90091) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DM 208749 A-1/10-87 and DM 208749 B-1/10-87 II. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Last Emperor on vinyl worth?
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.
