Vinyl pressings
by Sting · 1985
Fortress Around Your Heart was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
AMY 286 A //1 ▽ 420 U 1 1 4 ψTOPIASide A runout
AMY 286 B //1 ▽ 420 U 1 1 1 ψTOPIASide B runout
AMY 286-ASide A label
AMY 286-BSide B label
AM 286 A//1▽420 U ƱTOPIA 1 1Runout side A, stamped and etched
AM 286 B//1▽420 U ƱTOPIA 1 1Runout side B, stamped and etched
AM 286-ALabel side A
AM 286-BLabel side B
AM 286 A//1∇420 U 1 1 ƱTOPIASide A runout
AM 286 B//1∇420 U 1 1 ƱTOPIASide B runout
A2 A&M-AM-02767-A-RCA 1 MASTERDISK RL ISide A runout
A1 AM 02767-B RCA2-- ISide B runout
AM-02767-ASide A label
AM-02767-BSide B label
A&M-AM-02767-A-M1 MASTERDISK RL ELA-△ 110266Runout side A
AM 02767-B M1·· ELA-△ 110266 XRunout side B
AM-02767-ALabel side A
AM-02767-BLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | A&M Records K-9755 / A&M Records SP-17339First year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | Canada | A&M Records AM-2767 / A&M Records AM 2767First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Europe | A&M Records 390 081-7 / A&M Records 3900 817First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1985 | Europe | A&M Records 390 081-7 / A&M Records 3900 817First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | A&M Records 390 081-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-233First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Mexico | A&M Records AMS-43008First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1985 | Netherlands | A&M Records 390 081-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, White Label |
| 1985 | New Zealand | A&M Records K 9755 / A&M Records SP-17339First year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | South Africa | A&M Records AMRS 1484First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | A&M Records AMY 286First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | A&M Records AM 286First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | A&M Records AM 286 / A&M Records AM 258First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | A&M Records AM 286First year7", 45 RPM, Advance | 7", 45 RPM, Advance |
| 1985 | US | A&M Records AM-2767 / A&M Records am-2767First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
20 vinyl pressings of Fortress Around Your Heart are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records AMY 286.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMY 286, AM 286, AM-2767, SP-17339) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMY 286 A //1 ▽ 420 U 1 1 4 ψTOPIA and AMY 286 B //1 ▽ 420 U 1 1 1 ψTOPIA. 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.
