Vinyl pressings
by Van Morrison · 1989
Avalon Sunset was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 12 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.
D 8392621 A-1U-1-1 TOWNHOUSE DMMSide A runout, variant 1
D 8392621 B-1U-1-1 TOWNHOUSE DMMSide B runout, variant 1
D 8392621 A-1U-1-2 TOWNHOUSE DMMSide A runout, variant 2
D 8392621 B-2C-1- TOWNHOUSE DMMSide B runout, variant 2
STARL 5561-A-1SIDE 1
STARL 5561-B-1SIDE 2
STERLING SRC 422839-262-1-AS-SP 1-1A runout etched, except "STERLING" and SRC logo stamped
SRC 422839262-1-BS-SP 1-1B runout etched, except SRC logo stamped
HUB 422-839-262-1-AS STERLINGSide 1 Etched Sterling Stamped
422-839-262-1-BS HUBSide 2 Etched
422839-262-1-AS-SP 1-1Side 1, etched
STERLING SRC [logo]Side 1, stamped
422839262-1-BS-SP 1-1Side 2, etched
SRC [logo]Side 2, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australasia | Polydor 839 262-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Brazil | PolyGram 8392621First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Canada | Polydor 839 262-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Polydor 839 262-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Polydor 839 262-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Greece | Polydor 839 262-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Greece | Polydor 839 262-1 / Polygram 839 262-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1989 | Portugal | Polydor 839 262-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | South Africa | Polydor STARL 5561First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Spain | Polydor 839 262-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | UK | Polydor 839 262-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | US | Mercury 839 262-1 / Mercury 422 839 262-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | US | Mercury 839 262-1 / Mercury 422 839 262-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | US | Mercury 839 262-1 / Mercury 422 839 262-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 220930 / Polydor 839 262First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
18 vinyl pressings of Avalon Sunset are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, US, Australasia, Brazil and more. One of them is Polydor 839 262-1, released June 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 839 262-1, STAR 5561, 8392621, STARL 5561) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, D 8392621 A-1U-1-1 TOWNHOUSE DMM and D 8392621 B-1U-1-1 TOWNHOUSE DMM. 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.
