Vinyl pressings
by Alison Moyet · 1987
Love Letters 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.
16 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 8 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.
MOYET 5. A1 TOWNHOUSEA-side runout, etched
MOYET - 5. B3 TOWNHOUSEB-side runout, etched
MOYET G5 A*Label, A-side
MOYET G5 B*Label, B-side
MOYET-T5-A1 4 TOWNHOUSE ARunout side A
MOYET.T5.B.1 3 TOWNHOUSE ARunout side B
MOYET-5-A1 TownhouseA side runout, etched
MOYET-5-B-3 TownhouseB side runout, etched
MOYET 5 A*A side center label
MOYET 5 B*B side center label
MOYET-5-A3Hand Etched Runout, Side A, variant 1
MOYET-5-B-3 TOWNHOUSEHand Etched Runout, Side B, variant 1
ΛStamped Runout, Side A, variant 1
2 CStamped Runout, Side B, variant 1
01 651266 1A1Stamped side A
01 651266 1B1Stamped side 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 | Europe | CBS CBS 651266 7 / CBS 651266 77", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | CBS CBS 651266 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Europe | CBS CBS 651266 7 / CBS 651266 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | CBS CBS 651266 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | CBS CBS 651266 7 / CBS 651266 77", Single, 45 RPM, Repress | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Repress |
| 1987 | Europe | CBS CBS 651266 6 / CBS 651266 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | CBS CBS 651266 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Ireland | CBS MOYET 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | South Africa | CBS SSC 6079First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Spain | CBS CBS 651266 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | Spain | CBS CBS 651266 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Spain | CBS CBS 651266 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | UK | CBS MOYET T5 / CBS Moyet T5First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | CBS MOYET 5 / CBS Moyet 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | CBS MOYET 5 / CBS Moyet 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
19 vinyl pressings of Love Letters are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, Australia & New Zealand, Europe, Greece and more. One of them is CBS MOYET G5, released December 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MOYET G5, MOYET T5, MOYET 5, 651266 7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MOYET 5. A1 TOWNHOUSE and MOYET - 5. B3 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.
