Aretha vinyl value
Aretha Franklin — Aretha: pressings we track
| Pressing | Catalog | Country | Notes | Asking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 Arista | AL-8442 | Canada | — | $20–$72 |
| 1986 Arista | AL-8442 | US | Indianapolis Pressing | $20–$72 |
| 1986 Arista | AL8442 | US | Club Edition, CRC | $20–$72 |
| 1986 Arista | AL-8442 | US | Electrosound Pressing | $20–$72 |
9 more pressings we track (no quoted eBay range)
| Pressing | Catalog | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 Arista | 208 020 | Europe | — |
| 1986 Arista | 208 020 | Germany | Test Pressing |
| 1986 Arista | 208 020 | Italy | — |
| 1986 Arista | 28RS-15 | Japan | — |
| 1986 Arista | 28RS-15 | Japan | Promo |
| 1986 Arista | ASTC 185 | South Africa | — |
| 1988 Arista | 208 883 | Europe | Reissue |
| 2020 Music On Vinyl | MOVLP2679 | Europe | Limited Edition, Numbered, Green Translucent |
| 2021 Music On Vinyl | MOVLP2679 | Europe | 180 gram audiophile vinyl |
No quoted range right now (why). Scan your copy in the app for a current read.
13 pressings tracked · catalog of 974,753 releases, August 2026
What separates the pressings
How to identify your copy
Three checks, in the order worth doing them.
- 1
Match the catalog number. It is printed on the spine and the record label. Check it together with the country against the pressings table above: the same number can appear in more than one country.
- 2
Read the runout. The code etched in the dead wax near the label names the exact pressing. On the 1986 US pressing it reads “AL-8442-SA” on side one and “AL-8442-SB” on side two. Jackets get swapped over the decades; the runout does not.
- 3
Grade the condition. The same pressing can be worth several times more in near mint than in VG. Grade the vinyl and the sleeve separately — our grading guide shows the standard scale.
A 1986 jacket with a later disc inside is a reissue in an original sleeve. Judge the pressing by the runout etching and the label, never by the cover.
Questions
Which pressing of Aretha is worth the most?
The 1986 originals lead. Scarcer variants (the 1986 “Test Pressing” and the 1986 “Promo”) can beat an ordinary early copy. After that it is all condition: the gap between near mint and VG is usually larger than the gap between pressings.
How do I tell if I have a 1986 original?
Match the catalog number on the spine and label against the table above, check the country, then read the etched code in the runout groove. On the 1986 US pressing the runout reads “AL-8442-SA”. A period jacket with a later disc inside is still a reissue.
How much is Aretha worth today?
Sellers typically ask $20 to $72 for the pressings we track; for the 1986 AL-8442 the median ask is $25 over 9 listings (eBay, Sep 21, 2026). Sold prices usually close lower. Scan your copy in the app for the range on your exact pressing and condition.
Not sure which pressing you have? Photograph the label and RecordScout names it, then shows a current value range for its condition.
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