Vinyl pressings
by Bloodstone · 1973
Unreal was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 5 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.
XZAL-12328-2 BEST Bell Sound SF BWSide A runout
XZAL-12329-2 BEST Bell Sound SF BWSide B runout
XZAL 12328 BWSide A Label
XZAL 12329 BWSide B Label
XZAL-12328-1 AL Bell Sound SƒRunout, Side A, variant 1
XZAL-12329-1 AL Bell Sound SƒRunout, Side B, variant 1
XZAL-12328-1... AL Bell Sound SƒRunout, Side A, variant 2
XZAL-12329-1... AL Bell Sound SƒRunout, Side B, variant 2
XZAL-12328-6 W Bell Sound SFA Side Etched, Bell Sound SF is stamped
XZAL-12329-6 W Bell Sound SFB Side Etched, Bell Sound SF is stamped
XZAL 12328 WA Side Label
XZAL 12329 WB Side Label
XZAL 12328 KLabel Side A
XZAL 12329 KLabel Side B
XZAL-12328-RE1 Bell Sound Sƒ KE
XZAL-12329-RE1 BS/Sƒ KE
XZAL 12328 THSide A Label
XZAL 12329 THSide B Label
XZAL-12328 .P-6W 2 CRunout side A, stamped
XZAL-12329.P-1W 3 DRunout side A, stamped
XZAL. 12328 PLabel side A
XZAL. 12329 PLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | London Records XPS 634First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Jamaica | London Records XPS 634First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | New Zealand | London Records SAH 6385First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Decca SKL 5156 / Decca SKL.5156First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | London Records XPS 634First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | London Records XPS 634 / London Records SW 95498LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1973 | US | London Records XPS 634First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | London Records XPS 634LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1973 | US | London Records XPS 634First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | London Records XPS 634First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | London Records XPS 634First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Nova SDL 8003LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Nova SDL 8003LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Germany | Nova SDL 8003LP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1974 | Japan | London Records SLC 522LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of Unreal are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Canada, Jamaica and more. One of them is London Records XPS 634.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use XPS 634, SKL 5156, SAH 6385) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XZAL-12328-2 BEST Bell Sound SF BW and XZAL-12329-2 BEST Bell Sound SF BW. 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.
