Vinyl pressings
by Bruce Cockburn · 1980
Humans was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 7 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.
TN-42-A 3 STERLING DM-11A-Side runout variant 1
TN-42-D-X B5 STERLING DM-7B-Side runout, variant 1
TN-42-A-1 STERLING DMA-Side runout, variant 2
TN-42-D̶-̶1̶-B5 STERLING DM-5B-Side,runout, variant 2
BXL-1-7752-A 1 I STERLING A3 BRunout A, variant 1
BXL-1-7752-B 1 I STERLING A3 GRunout B, variant 1
BXL-1-7752-A 1 I STERLING A2 PRunout A, variant 2
BXL-1-7752-B 1 I STERLING A2 JRunout B, variant 2
BXL 7752-A A1ASide 1
BXL 7752-A A1A DBSide 2
RCA-XL-17752-ARunout side A, Variant 1
RCA-XL-17752-BRunout side B, Variant 1
RCA-XL-17752-A PF Manufactured in GermanyRunout side A, Variant 2
RCA-XL-17752-B PF Manufactured in GermanyRunout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | RCA BXL1-7752First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | True North TN-42 / Columbia TN-42First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Columbia APHT5009LP, Album, Remastered | LP, Album, Remastered |
| 1980 | Germany | RCA XL 17752 / RCA Victor XL 17752First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Ricordi International SNIR 25084First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Trio Records AW-25002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | RCA FL 17752First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Millennium BXL1-7752First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Trio Records AW-25002LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Germany | pläne 88405LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | pläne 88405LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | Revolver Records REV LP 124LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | True North WTN-42 / ColumbiaLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
13 vinyl pressings of Humans are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1980 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in Canada, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is True North TN-42.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TN-42, FL 17752, BXL1-7752, XL 17752) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TN-42-A 3 STERLING DM-11 and TN-42-D-X B5 STERLING DM-7. 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.
