Vinyl pressings
by Barclay James Harvest · 1983
Ring Of Changes was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. 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 1983, 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.
811 638 - 1S1 320Variant 1, runout A
811 638 - 1S2 320Variant 1, runout B
811 638 - 1 S 2 6UAVariant 2, runout A
811 638 - 1 S 1 320 IAVariant 2, runout B
811 638 - 1 S 1 320 A H 3Side A runout, variant 1
811 638 - 1 S 2 320 A D 2Side B runout, variant 1
811 638 - 1 S 1 320 D1 HASide A runout, variant 2
811 638 - 1 S 2 320 A D 2Side B runout, variant 2
811 638 - 1 S 1 POLH 3 A11 320Variant 1, Side A runout
1811 638 - 1 S 2 = 2 320 POLH 3 B//3 ∇420 VVariant 1, Side B runouts stamped
811 638 - 1 S 1 POLH 3 A/2 320Variant 2, Side A runout
811 638 - 1 S 2 POLH 3 B/2 320Variant 2, Side B runout
811 638 - 1 S 1 POLYGRAM I.M. 320 ↽·13 ⇂B4Runout variant 1, side A
811 638 - 1 S 2 POLYGRAM I.M. 320 A8 3-15Runout variant 1, side B
811 638 - 1 S 1 POLYGRAM I.M. 320 ↽·13 ⇂BCRunout variant 2, side A
811 638 - 1 S 2 POLYGRAM I.M. 320 ⇂ AC 3-15Runout variant 2, side B
811 638 - 1 S 1 POLYGRAM I.M. 320Runout A-side, stamped
811 638 - 1 S 2 POLYGRAM I.M. 320Runout B-side, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | France | Polydor 811 638-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Polydor 811 638-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | France | Polydor 811 638-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Polydor 811 638-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Polydor 811 638-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Polydor 32 138-0LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | Germany | Polydor 401471LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1983 | Greece | Polydor 811 638-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Israel | Polydor 811638-1 / Phonokol 811638-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Israel | Polydor 811 638-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Polydor 811 638-1 / Polydor LP POLH 3First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Portugal | Polydor 811 638-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Singapore | Polydor 811 638-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Africa | Polydor 811 638-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | Polydor 811 638-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
19 vinyl pressings of Ring Of Changes are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in Germany, UK, South Korea, France and more. One of them is Polydor 811 638-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 811 638-1, POLH 3, SEL-RG 667, 811638-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 811 638 - 1S1 320 and 811 638 - 1S2 320. 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.
