Vinyl pressings
by Various Artists · 1986
American Anthem was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
STA-865993-B-DMM SP0-2 Sterling Sound EDP M1 SF1 SM3Side A etched, variant 1
STA-865994-B-DMM SP0-3 Sterling Sound EDP M1 SF1 SM4Side B etched, variant 1
STA-865993-B-DMM SP0-2 Sterling Sound EDP M1 SF1 SM3Side A etched, variant 2
STA-865994-B-DMM SP0-3 SM1-1 Sterling Sound EDP M1 SF1 SM4Side B etched, variant 2
STA-865993-B-DMM Sterling Sound 0- △ 3067 EDP M1-SFI SMI B-24094Side A etched
STA-865994-B-DMM B-24095 △ 13067-X Sterling Sound EDP M1Sf1S141Side B etched
ST-A-865993-ARSide A label matrix
ST-A-865994-ARSide B label matrix
△ MX212131 81661-1 S1Side one runout hand etched
△ MX212132 81661-1 S2Side one runout hand etched
ST-A-865993-SPSide A
ST-A-865994-SPSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Argentina | Atlantic 80012First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1986 | Canada | Atlantic 78 16611First yearLP | LP |
| 1986 | Europe | Atlantic 781 661-1First yearLP | LP |
| 1986 | France | Atlantic 7 81661-1-U / Atlantic 81661-1-UFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Germany | Atlantic 781 661-1First yearLP | LP |
| 1986 | Greece | Atlantic 781661-1LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1986 | Italy | Atlantic 781 661-1First yearLP | LP |
| 1986 | Japan | Atlantic P-13352First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | Atlantic P-13352First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Spain | Atlantic 781661-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | Atlantic 7 81661-1-E / Atlantic 81661-1-EFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | Atlantic A1 81661LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1986 | US | Atlantic 7 81661-1-E / Atlantic 81661-1-ELP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1986 | US | Atlantic R 144302 / Atlantic 7 81661-1-ELP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1986 | US | Atlantic 81661-1-EFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of American Anthem are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, Greece, Australia, Argentina and more. One of them is Atlantic 7 81661-1-E.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7 81661-1-E, 81661-1-E, 781661-1, 81661-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STA-865993-B-DMM SP0-2 Sterling Sound EDP M1 SF1 SM3 and STA-865994-B-DMM SP0-3 Sterling Sound EDP M1 SF1 SM4. 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.
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