Vinyl pressings
by Van Halen · 1988
Black And Blue was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 6 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.
SP 7-27891-A-SR1 1-1A-Side Runout Etching
SP 7-27891-B-SR1 1-1B-Side Runout Etching
7-27891-AA-Side Label
7-27891-BB-Side Label
7-27891-A-SH1 Q R-20218-SH1 ∆20391 1-1A runout
7-27891-B-SH1 Q R-20218-SH1 ∆20391-X 1-1B runout
7-27891-AA label
7-27891-BB label
92 78917-ASide A label
92 78917-BSide B label
R/S Alsdorf 927891-7-A H 7Runout side A
R/S Alsdorf 927891-7-B 6 HRunout side B
927 891-7ALabel Side A
927 891-7BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 78917First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 78917First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 927 891-7First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records PRO-263 / WEA 964First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 964 / WEA 964First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Warner Bros. Records 9 27891-7 / Warner Bros. Records 7-27891First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-27891First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Warner Bros. Records 9 27891-7 / Warner Bros. Records 7-27891First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1988 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-2409First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-2409First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Black And Blue are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, Japan, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 9 27891-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9 27891-7, 7-27891, P-2409, 92 78917) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP 7-27891-A-SR1 1-1 and SP 7-27891-B-SR1 1-1. 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.
