Vinyl pressings
by Wax · 1987
American English was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1987, 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.
DM B-8502A-1 020 TOWNHOUSERunout A Side, variant 1
DM B-8502B-1 II 020 TOWNHOUSERunout B Side, variant 1
DM B-8502A-1 020 TOWNHOUSERunout A Side, variant 2
DM B-8502B-1 020 TOWNHOUSERunout B Side, variant 2
RPL-8383A 111 JSide A
RPL-8383B 111 JSide B
SPIRY- PL 71430 A 2S - 1A - 3 △ PRunout area side A
SPIRY- PL 71430 B 2S - 1A - 2 △ PRunout area side B
PL 71430/AStamped label A
PL 71430/BStamped label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australasia | RCA Victor VPL1 7622First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | RCA Victor 140.7004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Greece | RCA PL 71430 / RCA RCLP 70003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | RCA PL 71430-8 / RCA PL 71430First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | RCA PL 71430-8 / RCA PL 71430First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Portugal | Polygram Discos SARL PL-71430First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | South Africa | RCA RCAC 1075First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | RCA Victor PL-71430First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | RCA PL 71430First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | RCA RPL-8383First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | RCA RPL-8383First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Argentina | RCA Victor TLP-90086 / BMG TLP-90086LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | RCA 6770-1-RLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | RCA 6770-1-RLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP3489 / RCA MOVLP3489LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
15 vinyl pressings of American English are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1987 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in Europe, Japan, Australasia, Brazil and more. One of them is RCA PL 71430, released October 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PL 71430, RPL-8383, VPL1 7622, 140.7004) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DM B-8502A-1 020 TOWNHOUSE and DM B-8502B-1 II 020 TOWNHOUSE. 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.
