Vinyl pressings
by Steve Winwood · 1987
Valerie 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.
24 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 10 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.
* IS-336-A-1 * MT THE EXCHANGEA side runout etched
* IS-336-B-1 * THE EXCHANGE MT.B side runout etched
IS 336-AA side label
IS 336-BB side label
✳︎ IS-336-A-1 ✳︎ MT. THE EXCHANGESide A runout, etched
✳︎ IS-336-B-1 ✳︎ THE EXCHANGE MT.Side B runout, etched
12 IS 336 A // 2 ∇ 420 E XA Side Runout
12 IS 336 B // 2 ∇ 420 E XB Side Runout
✳︎ IS-336-A-1 ✳︎ MT. THE EXCHANGESide A runout, etched
✳︎ IS-336-B-1 ✳︎ THE EXCHANGE MT 1Side B runout, etched
7 28231 A SR1Runout A Side [Etched]
7 28231 B SR1Runout B Side [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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | Island Records K 440 / Island Records K-440First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1987 | Australia | Island Records K-440 / Island Records IS-336First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | Canada | Island Records 92 82317First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | Canada | Island Records 92 82317First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Europe | Island Records 609 402First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Island Records 109 402First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Guatemala | Island Records 7-28231First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Ireland | Island Records IS 336First year7" | 7" |
| 1987 | Japan | Island Records R15D-2098First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Mexico | Island Records RX 475First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | South Africa | Island Records ISS 336First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Island Records IS 336First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Island Records 12 IS 336First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Island Records ISJB 336First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Island Records IS 336First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Island Records K-4407", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
25 vinyl pressings of Valerie are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Island Records IS 336, released September 7, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IS 336, 12 IS 336, ISJB 336, 7-28231) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, * IS-336-A-1 * MT THE EXCHANGE and * IS-336-B-1 * THE EXCHANGE MT.. 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.
