Vinyl pressings
by Whitney Houston · 1987
Didn't We Almost Have It All 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.
32 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 19 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.
AS1-9616-SA-L -F2 1-1Hand Etched Runout, Side A (Variant 1)
SP AS-1-9616-SB A̶S̶-̶1̶-̶9̶6̶1̶9̶-̶S̶B̶ F-1 1-1 WALLYHand Etched Runout, Side B (Variant 1)
[SRC Logo Stamp]Stamped Runout, Side A (Variant 1)
MASTERED BY CAPITOLStamped Runout, Side B (Variant 1)
AS1-9616-SALRunout etched side A
AS-1-961 9 - SB F-5 9616 WALLYRunout etched side B
MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout stamped side B
AS1-9616-SALA-Side Runout Etching
AS-1-9̶6̶1̶9̶-SB F-5 9616 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyB-Side Runout Etching
AS1-9616-SALA-Side Label
AS1-9616-SBB-Side Label
RIST 31 A1 BSide A runout, etched / stamped
RIST 31 B1 ɅSide B runout, etched / stamped
(RIST 31A)Side A Label
(RIST 31B)Side B Label
RIS 31 A /1 420 Ua-side
RIS 31 B /1 420 Ub-side
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 | Argentina | Arista S-0613First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | Australia & New Zealand | Arista TDS 399First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Brazil | Arista 990.4001First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Brazil | Arista 990.4003First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Canada | Arista AS1-9616First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Arista 109 307First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | Arista 109 307 / Arista 109307First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Arista 609 307First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Ireland | Arista RIS 31First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Italy | Arista 109 307First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Italy | Arista 609 307First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Italy | Arista 109 307First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Italy | Arista 609 307First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Japan | Arista 7RS-158First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Mexico | Arista RX-428First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Barbados | Arista AS 196167", Single | 7", Single |
34 vinyl pressings of Didn't We Almost Have It All are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Australia & New Zealand, Japan and more. One of them is Arista AS1-9616, released August 13, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AS1-9616, RIST 31, RIS 31, 104722) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AS1-9616-SA-L -F2 1-1 and SP AS-1-9616-SB A̶S̶-̶1̶-̶9̶6̶1̶9̶-̶S̶B̶ F-1 1-1 WALLY. 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.
