Vinyl pressings
by Blondie · 1982
War Child 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.
21 pressings came out in 1982, 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.
CHS 2624 A//4 ▽ 420 C 1 1 1Side A stamped runout (Variant 1)
CHS 2624 B//1▽420 C 1 3Side B stamped runout Variant 1)
CHS 2624 A//2 ▽420 T 1 1Side A stamped runout (Variant 2)
CHS 2624 B//1 ▽420 C 1Side B stamped runout (Variant 2)
CHS 1226 24 A// 1∇ 420 C1 1 2 timtom-cbsRunout, side A (stamped) timtom (etched)
CHS 1226 24 B// 1∇ 420 C 1 2 1Runout, side B (stamped)
CHSP+2624+A timtom-cbsVariant 1, Side A, etched
CHPS+2624+B ORLAKEVariant 1, Side B, etched
CHSP+2624+B̶A ORLAKE timitom-cbsVariant 2, Side A, etched
CHPS+2624+B ORLAKE TYVariant 2, Side B, etched
CHS 12 2624 A -NOEL- DAMONTSide A runout
CHS 12 2624 B DAMONTSide B runout
CHS-39-PDJ-AS1-1-1 PRC-CSide A, Etched
CHS-39-PDJ-AS1-1-1 PRC-CSide B, 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 | Australia | Chrysalis X 12008 / Chrysalis X-12008First year12", Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1982 | Australia | Chrysalis K 8812First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1982 | Europe | Chrysalis 104 558 / Chrysalis 104 558-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | France | Chrysalis CHS 2624First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | France | Chrysalis PC 9940First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Ireland | Chrysalis CHS 2624First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Japan | Chrysalis WWS-17280First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Chrysalis X 12008First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Chrysalis K 8812First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | Chrysalis CHS 2624First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | Chrysalis CHSC-2624First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Spain | Chrysalis CHS-2624First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Spain | Chrysalis CHS-2624First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | UK | Chrysalis CHS 2624First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Chrysalis CHS 12 2624First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of War Child are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Chrysalis CHS 2624, released July 9, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHS 2624, CHS 12 2624, CHSP 2624, CHS 39 PDJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHS 2624 A//4 ▽ 420 C 1 1 1 and CHS 2624 B//1▽420 C 1 3. 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.
