Vinyl pressings
by Altered Images · 1981
I Could Be Happy was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. 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 1981, the album's first year, in 6 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.
EPC-S-A. 1834-A-2 ⋀ TOWNHOUSESide A runout
EPC-A-1834-B1 TOWNHOUSE ⋀Side B runout
EPC-S-A. 1834-A-2 TOWNHOUSEside A variant 2
EPC-A-1834-B2 1 2 TOWNHOUSE ⋀side B variant 2
EPC · A · 13 · 1834 AI TOWNHOUSERunout side A, etched, 'TOWNHOUSE' stamped - variant 1
EPC · A · 13 · 1834 BI TOWNHOUSERunout side B, etched, 'TOWNHOUSE' stamped - variant 1
EPC·A·13·1834 A1 1 3 TOWNHOUSE ΛRunout side A, stamped & etched - variant 2
EPC·B·13·1834 B1 3 TOWNHOUSE BRunout side B, stamped & etched - variant 2
EPC + 11 +1834 + A TIMTOM-CBSRunout Side A, etched
EPC + 11 +1834 + A TY ORLAKERunout Side B, etched
EPC.A.1834 - A1Runout, A-side, etched, variant 1
EPC.S.A.1834 B2Runout, B-side, etched, variant 1
EPC-S A 1834 A-2 DRunout, A-side, etched, variant 2
EPC-S A 1834 B-2 DRunout, B-side, etched, variant 2
EPC. A · 1834 - A1Runout A, scratched
TOWNHOUSE CRunout A, stamped
EPC - A - 1834 - B1Runout B, scratched
TOWNHOUSE CRunout B, stamped
EPC.A-1834-A1Etched runout, side A. Var. 1
EPC.A-1834-A2Etched runout, side A. Var. 2
D TOWNHOUSEStamped runout, side A. Var 1 & 2
EPC-S.A.1834.B2Etched runout, side B. Var. 1 & 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Epic ES 12043 / Epic EPCA 1834First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | Australia | Epic ES 709First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Europe | Epic EPCA 12.1834 / Epic A 12.1834First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Europe | Epic EPCA 1834 / Epic A -1834First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Epic EPC A1834 / Epic EPC A -1834First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Epic ES 709First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Epic ES 12043First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A1834 / Epic A -1834First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | US | Portrait 4R9-02840First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | US | Portrait 4R902840First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A1834 / Epic EPC A -1834First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A13 1834 / Epic A 13-1834First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A 11 1834First year7", Single, Picture Disc, 45 RPM · Picture disc | 7", Single, Picture Disc, 45 RPM · Picture disc |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A -1834 / Epic EPC A1834First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A1834 / Epic EPC A -1834First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
21 vinyl pressings of I Could Be Happy are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Epic EPC A1834, released December 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EPC A1834, EPC A13 1834, EPC A 11 1834, EPC A -1834) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EPC-S-A. 1834-A-2 ⋀ TOWNHOUSE and EPC-A-1834-B1 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.
