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The Joshua Tree by U2, album cover

Vinyl pressings

The Joshua Tree

by U2 · 1987

129 pressings39 countriesPop RockRock

The Joshua Tree 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 Joshua Tree

69 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 29 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.

UK

March 9, 1987
Label and catalog number
Island Records U26
Format
LP, Album, Stereo · EMI Pressing
Runout / matrix

TOWN HOUSE DMMRunouts, etched. All variants

U 26 A-3U-1-1-8Side A, stamped, variant 1

U 26 B-1U-1-8-3Side B, stamped, variant 1

U 26 A - 1 U - 1 - 1 - 7Side A, stamped, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

UK

March 9, 1987
Label and catalog number
Island Records U26
Format
LP, Album, Stereo · EMI Pressing
Runout / matrix

U 26 A-2U-1-2-114 TOWNHOUSE DMM DSide A runout - variant 1

U 26 B-2U-1-2-16 TOWNHOUSE DMM DSide B runout - variant 1

U 26 A-1U-1-1-1 DSide A runout - variant 2

U 26 B-1U-1-1-x1 TOWNHOUSE DMM DSide B runout - variant 2

Full details of this pressing

UK

1987
Label and catalog number
Island Records U26
Format
LP, Album · PRS Ltd. Pressing, Gatefold
Runout / matrix

U2 6 A 2(Variant 1) runout, A-side, etched

U26 B // 7 42 0 H 1 3 1 6(Variant 1) runout, B-side, stamped

U26 A // 4 42 0 H 1 2(Variant 2) runout, A-side, stamped

U26 B // 7 42 0 H 1 3(Variant 2) runout, B-side, stamped

Full details of this pressing

UK

1987
Label and catalog number
Island Records U26
Format
LP, Album · PRS Ltd. Pressing
Runout / matrix

U2 6 A 2 THE EXCHANGESide A runout, variant 1

U26 B // 7 420 HSide B runout, variant 1

U26 A // 8 ▽ 420 EX 1 1 2Side A runout, variant 2

U2 6 B // 7 ▽ 420 H 1 6 2Side B runout, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

UK

1987
Label and catalog number
Island Records U26
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

U6 [Strike through] 26A-1C-1-1Runout Side A

U 26B-1C-1-1Runout Side B

Full details of this pressing

UK

1987
Label and catalog number
Island Records U26
Format
LP, Album, Stereo · PRS Ltd. Pressing
Runout / matrix

U2 6 A2 THE EXCHANGE PSide A, Etched

U26 B / 7 ▽ 420 H 1 3Side B, Stamped

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 129 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1980s89 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1987ArgentinaIsland Records TLP-90022First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1987ArgentinaIsland Records TLP-90022First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · PromoLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo
1987Australia & New ZealandIsland Records RML 53220 / Island Records U 26First yearLP, Album · Colored vinylLP, Album · Colored vinyl
1987BoliviaAriola IN/ASL-1075First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1987BrazilIsland Records 670.4011 / Island Records 53.000First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1987CanadaIsland Records ISX 1127LP, Album, Club Edition · Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition
1987CanadaIsland Records ISX 1127First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1987ColombiaIsland Records 18(0831)00324First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1987EuropeIsland Records 208 219 / Island Records 208 219-7First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1987German Democratic Republic (GDR)Island Records 208 219First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1987GermanyIsland Records 14 500 3LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition
1987GreeceIsland Records VG 71446First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1987GreeceIsland Records VG 71446First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1987GreeceIsland Records VG 71446First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1987GreeceIsland Records 71446First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
All 89 pressings from the 1980s
1990s10 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1990BrazilIsland Records 842 298 1LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
1990BrazilIsland Records 842 298-1LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1990MexicoIsland Records LPR 25028 / PolyGram 842 298 1LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1990MexicoIsland Records LPR-25028 / PolyGram 842 298-1LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinylLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl
1990MexicoIsland Records LPR-25028 / PolyGram 842 298-1LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinylLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl
1990PeruIsland Records PN-ISL 0905811.9LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1990UKIsland Records U26 / Island Records 842 298-1LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1990MexicoIsland Records LPR 25028 / PolyGram 842 298 1LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinylLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl
1991Czech And Slovak Federative RepublicPopron 50 044-1LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1992EuropeIsland Records 208 219LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
2000s5 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2007NetherlandsIsland Records 0407LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · UnofficialLP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial
2007NetherlandsNot On Label (U2) 530304-1LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, White Label, Stereo · UnofficialLP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, White Label, Stereo · Unofficial
2007USIsland Records B0010310-01 / Interscope Records B0010310-01LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressingLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing
2007WorldwideMercury Music Group 1750949 / Universal Music Group 1750949LP, Album, Reissue, RemasteredLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
2007USIsland Records B0010310-01 / Interscope Records B0010310-01LP, Album, Reissue, RemasteredLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
2010s8 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2016USIsland Records B0010310-01 / Interscope Records B0010310-01LP, Album, Reissue, RemasteredLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
2016EuropeIsland Records 1750949 / Universal Music Group 1750949LP, Album, Reissue, RemasteredLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
2017EuropeInterscope Records 5749844 / Island Records 5748250LP, Album, Reissue, RemasteredLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
2017USIsland Records B0026626-01 / Interscope Records B0026626-01LP, Album, Reissue, RemasteredLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
2017USA & EuropeIsland Records 00602557482485 / Interscope Records 00602557482485Box Set, Deluxe Edition, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Album, LP, CompilationBox Set, Deluxe Edition, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Album, LP, Compilation
2018USA & EuropeIsland Records 5749844 / UMC 00602567891239LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Repress · Limited, Colored vinylLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Repress · Limited, Colored vinyl
2019EuropeInterscope Records 5749844 / Island Records 5749844LP, Album, Reissue, RemasteredLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
2019AustralasiaIsland Records 0811928LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinylLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl
2020s1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2024EuropeInterscope Records 5749844 / Island Records 5749844LP, Album, Reissue, RemasteredLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
Year unknown16 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?UnknownEMI CID U2 61 / Island Records CID U2 61LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinylLP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl
?UnknownIsland Records 208219LP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture discLP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc
?UnknownIsland Records U26 PLP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture discLP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc
?BrazilIsland Records 670.4011 / Island Records 53.000LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
?CroatiaCroatia Records LSI 11168 / Island Records U26LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?EuropeIsland Records 208 219 / Island Records 208 219-7LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?ItalyIsland Records U25 (1)LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?PortugalIsland Records U26LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?PortugalIsland Records U26LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?RussiaSound Records Inc. ABS 515 RVLP, Album, Unofficial Release · UnofficialLP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial
?SwedenIsland Records U26LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinylLP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl
?SwedenIsland Records U26LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinylLP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl
?SwedenIsland Records U26LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinylLP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl
?SwedenIsland Records U26LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinylLP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl
?SwedenIsland Records U26LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinylLP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl
All 16 pressings from unknown years

Tracklist

  1. A1Where The Streets Have No Name5:35
  2. A2I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For4:38
  3. A3With Or Without You4:57
  4. A4Bullet The Blue Sky4:32
  5. A5Running To Stand Still4:20
  6. B1Red Hill Mining Town4:51
  7. B2In God's Country3:37
  8. B3Trip Through Your Wires3:32
  9. B4One Tree Hill5:24
  10. B5Exit4:14
  11. B6Mothers Of The Disappeared5:14

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of The Joshua Tree are there?

129 vinyl pressings of The Joshua Tree are listed here, from 39 countries, released between 1987 and 2024.

When was The Joshua Tree first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Australia & New Zealand, Europe and more. One of them is Island Records U26, released March 9, 1987.

How do I tell if my copy of The Joshua Tree is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use U26, 90581-1, RML 53220, 208 219) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TOWN HOUSE DMM and U 26 A-3U-1-1-8. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is The Joshua Tree 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.

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