UK
May 1990- Label and catalog number
- Fontana WAS 712Fontana 875 437-1
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
WAS 712 A-1U-1-1 POUNDA COPYMASTERSSide A runout
WAS 712 B-1U-1-2Side B runout
Was (Not Was)Papa Was A Rolling Stone
Vinyl pressings
Papa Was A Rolling Stone
by Was (Not Was) · 1990
22 pressings9 countriesSoulFunk / Soul
Papa Was A Rolling Stone was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. 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 Papa Was A Rolling Stone
20 pressings came out in 1990, the album's first year, in 9 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
May 1990- Label and catalog number
- Fontana WAS 7Fontana 875 436-7
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Silver Injection Labels
- Runout / matrix
WAS 7 A-1U-1-1 Q2Runout side A, variant 1
WAS 7 B-1U-1- Q2Runout side B, variant 1
WAS 7 A-1U-1- ̶2̶ Q2Runout side A, variant 2
WAS 7 B-1U-1- ̶6̶ Q2Runout side B, variant 2
UK
May 1990- Label and catalog number
- Fontana WAS 7
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
UK
1990- Label and catalog number
- Fontana WASRDJ 712
- Format
- 12", Promo
UK
1990- Label and catalog number
- Fontana WASDJ712
- Format
- 12", Promo
Country unknown
1990- Label and catalog number
- Fontana WASDJ 7
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Promo
- Runout / matrix
WASDJ 7 A-1U-1-1
WASDJ 7 5-1U-1-1
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 22 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1990s22 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Unknown | Fontana WASDJ 7First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | Australasia | Fontana 875 437-1 / Phonogram 875 437-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Australia | Fontana 875 436-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Australia | Not On Label WAS 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | Australia | Fontana 875 436-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | Canada | Fontana 875 437-1First year12" | 12" |
| 1990 | Europe | Fontana 875 437-1 / Fontana WAS 712First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Europe | Fontana 875 436-7 / Fontana WAS 7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Europe | Fontana 875 436-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | France | Fontana 875 436-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Greece | Fontana 875 437-112", Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1990 | Greece | Fontana 875437-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | UK | Fontana WASRDJ 712First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | UK | Fontana WASDJ712First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | UK & Europe | Fontana WASR 712 / Fontana 875 799-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
Tracklist
- APapa Was A Rolling Stone
- BBallad Of You
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Papa Was A Rolling Stone are there?
22 vinyl pressings of Papa Was A Rolling Stone are listed here, from 9 countries.
When was Papa Was A Rolling Stone first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in UK, US, Australasia, Australia and more. One of them is Fontana WAS 712, released May 1990.
How do I tell if my copy of Papa Was A Rolling Stone is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WAS 712, WAS 7, WASRDJ 712, WASDJ712) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WAS 712 A-1U-1-1 POUNDA COPYMASTERS and WAS 712 B-1U-1-2. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Papa Was A Rolling Stone 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.
