Vinyl pressings
by Ashford & Simpson · 1980
A Musical Affair was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 11 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.
HS 1 3458 WW1# 3 [trumpet]Side A Runout, Variant #1
HS 2 3458 WW1# 2 [trumpet] STERLING TJSide B Runout, Variant #1
HS 1 3458 WW1#6 --◁ STERLINGSide A Runout, Variant #2
HS 2 3458 WW1#7 --◁ STERLING TJSide B Runout, Variant #2
HS 1 3458 JW2 #1 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ 0Side A Runout, Etched and Stamped, Variant 1
HS 2 3458 JW1 #5 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ 0 TJSide B Runout, Etched and Stamped, Variant 1
HS 1 3458 JW2 #3 STERLING 0Side A Runout, Etched and Stamped, Variant 2
HS 2 3458 JW2 #3 STERLING 0Side B Runout, Etched and Stamped, Variant 2
HS1 3458 LW3 I [stamped sideways]2 * * sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢSide A Runout
HS 2 3458 LW1 . I * * sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ TJSide B Runout
K-56840-A1 STRAWBERRY· W-4Runout side A
K-56840-B1 STRAWBERRY W-5Runout side B
K 56840 A*Label side A
K 56840 B*Label side B
WEA - 56840 - A3 PFRunout side A
WEA - 56840 - B2 PFRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records XHS 3458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 840 / Warner Bros. Records HS 3458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 840 / Warner Bros. Records HS 3458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records WB 56840First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10899WFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10899WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 840 / Warner Bros. Records HS 3458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBC 1478First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K56840 / Warner Bros. Records K 56840First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records HS 3458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records HS 3458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records HS 3458LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records HS 3458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Venezuela | Warner Bros. Records GM-200.2778 / Warner Bros. Records Lps. 200.2778First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Zambia | Warner Bros. Records WBC 1478First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
15 vinyl pressings of A Musical Affair are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records HS 3458.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HS 3458, K56840, XHS 3458, WB 56 840) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HS 1 3458 WW1# 3 [trumpet] and HS 2 3458 WW1# 2 [trumpet] STERLING TJ. 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.
