Vinyl pressings
by Ann Peebles · 1977
If This Is Heaven was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 4 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.
HLP-6002-A M HCrunout side A, variant 1
HLP-6002-B M HCrunout side B, variant 1
H-6002-A M HC xx #13runout side A, variant 2
H-6002-B M HC xx #13runout side B, variant 2
HLP-6002-ARunout Side 1, Etched
HLP-6002-BRunout Side 2, Etched
HLP-6002-ASide 1 Label
HLP-6002-BSide 2 Label
M HC XX #13 H-6002-ARunout side A hand-etched
M HC XX #13 H-6002-BRunout side B hand-etched
HLP-6002-ALabel side A
HLP-6002-BLabel side B
HLP-6002-A MHCRunout A, etched
HLP-6002-B MHCRunout B, etched
HLP-6002-ALabel A
HLP-6002-BLabel B
HLP-6002-A M HCSide One
HLP-6002-B M HCSide Two
HLP-6002-ASide One Label
HLP-6002-BSide Two Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Cream HLP 6002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Hi Records VIP-6462First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | Hi Records VIP-6462First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Hi Records HLP 6002 / Hi Records HLP-6002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Hi Records HLP-6002First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Hi Records HLP-6002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Hi Records HLP-6002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Hi Records HLP-6002 / Hi Records HLP 6002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Hi Records HLP-6002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Venezuela | Hi Records LPS-88886First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Samalk Sounds AG 2331LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of If This Is Heaven are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1977 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Australia, Japan, Venezuela. One of them is Hi Records HLP 6002.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HLP 6002, HLP-6002, VIP-6462, LPS-88886) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HLP-6002-A M HC and HLP-6002-B M HC. 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.
