Vinyl pressings
by Billy Bragg · 1986
Talking With The Taxman About Poetry was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
AGOLP6 A // 2 ∇ 4 2 0 C 1 1 4 timtomRunout side A, variant 1
AGOLP6 B // 1 ∇ 4 2 0 C 1 1 [unknown]Runout side B, variant 1
AGOLP 6 A // 2 ∇ 4 2 0 C 1 1 3 timtomRunout side A, variant 2
A GOLP6 B // 1 ∇ 4 2 0 C 1 1 1 1 TYRunout side B, variant 2
AGOLP ∙ 6 ∙ A4Side A runout, variant 1
AGOLP ∙ 6 ∙ B3Side B runout, variant 1
AGOLP ∙ 6 ∙ A4Side A runout, variant 2
AGOLP ∙ 6 ∙ B4Side B runout, variant 2
AGOLP 6 A//2∇420C timtom 11 21Side A runout, variant 1
AGOLP 6 B//2∇420C 11 16Side B runout, variant 1
AGOLP 6 A//2∇420C timtom 11 1Side A runout, variant 2
AGOLP 6 B//1∇420C 11 3 TYSide B runout, variant 2
AGOLP ∙ 6 ∙ A // 2 ∇ 4 2 0 C timtom 1 1Side A runout, stamped / etched
AGOLP ∙ 6 ∙ B // 1 ∇ 4 2 0 C 1 1Side B runout, stamped
ST E 60502 A-3 1-3 SPAR B-25778-A3 △14713 0-Side A - etched
ST E 60502 B-3 1-2 SPAR B-25779-B3 0- △14713XSide B - etched
ATLANTIC STUDIOS DKSides A/B - stamped
SRC (Large S with the R and C in the loops)Sides A/B - stamped
ST E 60502 A-4 1-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS DK [SRC logo]Side A runout, variant 1
ST E 60502 B-3 1-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS DK [SRC logo]Side B runout, variant 1
ST E 60502 A-3 1-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS DK [SRC logo]Side A runout, variant 2
ST E 60502 B-4 1-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS DK [SRC logo]Side B runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Canada | Polydor 831 217-1 / Go! Discs 831 217-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | France | Go! Discs 830 544-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Germany | Line Records LILP 4.00237 GFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1986 | Germany | Go! Discs 208 015 / Chrysalis 208 015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | Chrysalis 830544-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | Chrysalis 830544-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1986 | Italy | Go! Discs CHR 1533 / Chrysalis CHR 1533First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Italy | Go! Discs CHR 1533 / Chrysalis CHR 1533First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | Japan | Go! Discs WWS-81780First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Japan | Go! Discs WWS-81780First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Chrysalis L 38675First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Sweden | Amalthea AM 1002First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Go! Discs AGOLP 6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Go! Discs AGOLP 6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Go! Discs AGOLP 6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Lithuania | Zona Records ZN 001LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Lithuania | Zona Records ZN 001 / Go! Discs AGOLP 6LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | Mexico | Pentagrama LPP-160 / Pentagrama lpp160LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Australia | Liberation Records L 21016LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
32 vinyl pressings of Talking With The Taxman About Poetry are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1986 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Go! Discs AGOLP 6.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AGOLP 6, 9 60502-1, LIB5081, 831 217-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AGOLP6 A // 2 ∇ 4 2 0 C 1 1 4 timtom and AGOLP6 B // 1 ∇ 4 2 0 C 1 1 [unknown]. 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.
