Vinyl pressings
by Blancmange · 1982
Happy Families was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 15 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.
PACLZ 3916 A // 1 ▽420 C 1 1 1 DOUBLE BRANDYRunout, A-side, variation 1
PACLZ 3916 B // 1 ▽420 C 1 1 3 SAD DAY - FOR HELENRunout, B-side, variation 1
PACLZ 3916 A // 1 ▽420 C 1 1 3 DOUBLE BRANDYRunout, A-side, variation 2
PACLZ 3917 B // 1 ▽420 C 1 1 3 SAD DAY - FOR HELENRunout, B-side, variation 2
STIL 825127-A [SRC Logo] 1-2 STERLINGRunout Side A, Etched; STERLING, SRC logo stamped - variant 1
STIL 825128-B 1-1 STERLING Ⓗ [SRC Logo]Runout Side B, Etched; STERLING, SRC logo stamped - variant 1
STIL 825127-A [SRC Logo] 1-2 STERLING ⒽRunout Side A, Etched; STERLING, SRC logo stamped - variant 2
STIL 825128-B 1-1 STERLING Ⓗ [SRC Logo]Runout Side B, Etched; STERLING, SRC logo stamped - variant 2
STIL 825127-A SP AR SRC 1-3-0- △ 3516 STERLING ⚾︎ B-17665Runout side A
STIL 825128-C 1-2 SP-AR STERLING ⚾︎ △ 3516-X 0-1 B-17666-C SRCRunout side B
ST-IL-825127-ARLabel side A
ST-IL-825128-ARLabel side B
STIL 825127-B SRC 1-1 STERLING ⒽRunout Side A, Etched; STERLING, SRC logo stamped
STIL 825128-C 1-1 STERLING Ⓗ SRCRunout Side B, Etched; STERLING, SRC logo stamped
ST-IL 825127-SPLabel, Side One
ST-IL-825128-SPLabel, Side Two
S̶B̶P̶ ̶2̶3̶7̶8̶5̶4̶ ̶A̶ SH 8552A...Side A runout, etched
SH 8552 B.......Side B runout, etched
SH 8552/1Side A label
SH 8552/2Side B label
258 200429 A POLYGRAM A1Side A (Stamped, etched)
258 200429 B POLYGRAM A1Side B (Stamped, etched)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australasia | London Records SH 8552First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | France | Decca 200.429First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | London Records 6.25418 / London Records 6.25 418First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Greece | Decca DL 13.027 / Decca DL 13027First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | Decca DL 13.027LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Ireland | London Records SH 8552First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Israel | London Records ISL 5025 / PAX ISL 5025First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Italy | London Records 810 123-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | London Records L28P 1070First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | London Records L28P 1070First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Netherlands | London Records 6399 400First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Philippines | London Records SH 8552 / London Records PACLZ-3916First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Portugal | London Records OSH 8552First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | London Records SH 8552First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | South Africa | London Records STAR 5287 / London Records SH 8552First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | UK | London Records LMS5521272LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Compilation, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Compilation, Remastered |
28 vinyl pressings of Happy Families are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1982 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Australasia, France and more. One of them is London Records SH 8552.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SH 8552, 90053-1, 200.429, 6.25418) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PACLZ 3916 A // 1 ▽420 C 1 1 1 DOUBLE BRANDY and PACLZ 3916 B // 1 ▽420 C 1 1 3 SAD DAY - FOR HELEN. 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.
