Vinyl pressings
by Aztec Camera · 1987
Love 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.
14 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 12 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.
R / S Alsdorf 242202-1-A- ̶3̶ 2Runout side A, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 242202-1-B- ̶3̶ 2 XXRunout side B, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 242202-1-A- ̶3̶ 2 U̶K̶ D 10Runout side A, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 242202-1-B- ̶3̶ 2 28Runout side B, variant 2
1 25646 RE-1 A SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-29008–Re1-SH1 △18117 1–1Side A, etched
1 25646 RE-1 B SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-29009 Re1-SH2 △18117–X 1–1Side B, etched
1-25646 RE1 A SR3 1-1 SRCSide A, etched, "SRC" [Large S with the R and C in the loops logo] stamped, variant 1
1-25646 RE1-B · SR ̶2̶ 1 1-1 SRCSide B, etched, "SRC" [Large S with the R and C in the loops logo] stamped, variant 1
1 25646 RE1 A SR4 1-1 SRCSide A, etched, "SRC" [Large S with the R and C in the loops logo] stamped, variant 2
1-25646 RE1-B · SR ̶2̶ 1 1-1 SRCSide B, etched, "SRC" [Large S with the R and C in the loops logo] stamped, variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | WEA 80101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australia | WEA 242 202-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | WEA 9256461First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Sire 92 56461First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Mexico | WEA LDWI-6804First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Philippines | WEA WX 128First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Portugal | WEA 1592211First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Spain | WEA 242202-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK & Europe | WEA WX 128 / WEA 242202-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Sire 1-25646 / Sire 9 25646-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Sire 1-25646 / Sire 9 25646-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Sire W1-25646LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Europe | WEA WX 128 / WEA 242202-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | WEA WX 128First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | WEA P-13572First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
17 vinyl pressings of Love are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in Europe, UK, US, Argentina and more. One of them is WEA WX 128, released November 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WX 128, 1-25646, 80101, 242 202-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R / S Alsdorf 242202-1-A- ̶3̶ 2 and R / S Alsdorf 242202-1-B- ̶3̶ 2 XX. 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.
