Vinyl pressings
by Various Artists · 1985
St. Elmo's Fire 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.
21 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 13 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-855699-B SRC 1-2 SPAR STERLING △9965 0- B-21467-BSide A runout
STA-855700-A SRC 1-2 SPAR STERLING △9965-X 0- B-21468-ASide B runout
STA-A-855699-ARSide A Label
STA-A-855700-ARSide B Label
STA-855699-B 1-1 STERLING SRCSide A runout, variant 1
STA-855700-A 1-3 STERLING SRCSide B runout, variant 1
STA-855699-B 1-1 STERLING SRCSide A runout, variant 2
STA-855700-A 1 STERLING SRCSide B runout, variant 2
△ MX 210641-B 81261-1 S1Runout (Etched) Side A
△ MX 210642 81261-1 S2Runout (Etched) Side B
MX210641Label Side A
MX210642Label Side B
78· 12611 A1 QuRunout Area Side A, Hand-Etched
78· 12611 B1 Qu S.Runout Area Side B, Hand-Etched
78· 12611 A1 QuRunout Area Side A, Hand-Etched
78· 12611 B1 Qu S.Runout Area Side B, Hand-Etched
ST-A-855699Side A label
ST-A-855700Side B label
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 | Atlantic 81261-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Atlantic 78 12611First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1985 | Canada | Atlantic A1 81261LP, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Canada | Atlantic 78 12611First yearLP | LP |
| 1985 | Canada | Atlantic 7812611First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Atlantic 78 12611First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Atlantic 781 261-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Atlantic 781 261-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Atlantic 781 261-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | Atlantic 781261-1First yearLP | LP |
| 1985 | Greece | Atlantic 781261-1First yearLP, White Label | LP, White Label |
| 1985 | Israel | Atlantic BAN 781261-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Atlantic P-13182First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Mexico | Atlantic LWA-6432First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | South Africa | Atlantic ATC 9845First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | US | Friday Music FRM-81261LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
26 vinyl pressings of St. Elmo's Fire are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1985 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Argentina, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Atlantic 81261-1-E, released June 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 81261-1-E, 83946, 81261-1, 78 12611) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STA-855699-B SRC 1-2 SPAR STERLING △9965 0- B-21467-B and STA-855700-A SRC 1-2 SPAR STERLING △9965-X 0- B-21468-A. 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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