Whitney Houston (self-titled) vinyl value
Whitney Houston — Whitney Houston (self-titled): pressings we track
| Pressing | Catalog | Country | Notes | Asking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 Arista | AL8-8212 | Canada | — | $15–$30 |
| 1985 Arista | 206 978 | Europe | — | $11–$134 |
| 1985 Arista | 206 978 | Europe | Misprint | $11–$134 |
| 1985 Arista | 206 978 | Ireland | — | $11–$134 |
| 1985 Arista | 206 978 | Italy | — | $11–$134 |
| 1985 Arista | RTLP-16068 | Philippines | — | $15–$30 |
| 1985 Arista | AL 8-8212 | US | Reissue, Indianapolis Pressing | $15–$30 |
| 1985 Arista | AL 8-8212 | US | Club Edition, CRC | $15–$30 |
| 1985 Arista | AL 8-8212 | US | — | $15–$30 |
| 1985 Arista | AL 8-8212 | US | Club Edition, Barcode | $15–$30 |
| 1985 Arista | AL 8-8212 | US | Indianapolis Pressing | $15–$30 |
| 1985 Arista | AL 8-8212 | US | Club Edition, CRC, Carrollton Pressing | $15–$30 |
| 1986 Arista | 206 978 | Europe | Reissue | $11–$134 |
| 1986 Arista | 206 978 | Europe | Reissue, Mixed Runouts 85/86 | $11–$134 |
2 more pressings we track (no quoted eBay range)
| Pressing | Catalog | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 Arista | 25RS-246 | Japan | — |
| 1987 Arista | A27L-5 | Japan | Reissue |
No quoted range right now (why). Scan your copy in the app for a current read.
34 pressings tracked, 16 shown · 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 1985 US pressing it reads “AL 8-8212 SA” on side one and “AL 8-8212 SB” on side two. Sleeves migrate between copies over the years; the etching stays with the record.
- 3
Grade the condition. Condition multiplies the price: near mint can bring several times what a VG copy does. Vinyl and sleeve get separate grades; the scale is in our grading guide.
Discs and jackets part ways over the decades: a 1985 sleeve proves nothing about the record inside it. The runout etching and the label decide the pressing; the cover never does.
Questions
Which pressing of Whitney Houston (self-titled) is worth the most?
The 1985 originals lead. Scarcer variants (the 1985 “Misprint”) 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 1985 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 1985 US pressing the runout reads “AL 8-8212 SA”. A period jacket with a later disc inside is still a reissue.
How much is Whitney Houston (self-titled) worth today?
Sellers typically ask $11 to $134 for the pressings we track; for the 1985 AL8-8212 the median ask is $18 over 10 listings (eBay, Sep 15, 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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