Vinyl pressings
by Bucks Fizz · 1981
The Land Of Make Believe was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 10 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.
RCA 163 A-1U TOWN HOUSE J.H. G 1Runout, A-side, stamped variant 1
RCA 163 B-1U TOWN HOUSE G J.H. 1Runout, B-side, stamped variant 1
RCA 163 A-1U TOWN HOUSE 52 1 J.H.Runout, A-side, stamped variant 2
RCA 163 B-1U TOWN HOUSE 3G 1 J.H.Runout, B-side, stamped variant 2
TOWN HOUSE RCA 163 A-1U I J.H.9 2Runout side A
TOWN HOUSE RCA 163 B-1U 9 7 J.H.Runout side B
RCA 163 A-1U TOWN HOUSE J.H.A-side runout, stamped and etched variant 1
RCA 163 B-1U TOWN HOUSE J.H.B-side runout, stamped and etched variant 1
TOWN HOUSE RCA 163 A-1U 22 2 J.H.A-side runout, stamped and etched variant 2
TOWN HOUSE RCA 163 B-1U 3 ... J.H.B-side runout, stamped and etched variant 2
RCA 163 A - 1U 2 0 TOWNHOUSESide A runout, stamped
RCA 163 B - 1U 1 1 TOWNHOUSESide B runout, stamped
JHSide A & B runout etched
RCA 163 A §Label Side A
TOWN HOUSE RCA 163 A-1U J.H.Runout, A-side, stamped
TOWN HOUSE RCA 163 B-1U J.H. 7Runout, B-side, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | RCA Victor 103913First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Belgium | RCA Victor PB 5437 / RCA RCA 163First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Belgium | RCA RCA 163 / RCA Victor RCA 163First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Belgium | RCA Victor PB 5437First year7", 45 RPM, Mispress | 7", 45 RPM, Mispress |
| 1981 | Canada | RCA PB-50664First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | RCA Victor PB 5437 / RCA PB 5437First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | RCA PC 5471 / RCA Victor PC 5471First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1981 | Germany | RCA PB 54377", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Ireland | RCA RCA 163 / RCA PB 5437First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | RCA RCA 163 / RCA PB 5437First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | RCA RCA 163 / RCA PB 5437First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | RCA RCA 163First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | RCA RCA 163 / RCA RCA-163First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 103913First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | South Africa | RCA Victor TRS 358 / RCA Victor RCA 163First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Spain | Metropol Records MRP-132-PRO7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1991 | Spain | Metropol Records MRP-132-MX12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1991 | UK | Living Beat Records SMASH 1912" | 12" |
| 1991 | UK | Living Beat Records 7 SMASH 197", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1991 | UK | Living Beat Records FIZZ 00112", Single Sided, White Label, Promo · Promo | 12", Single Sided, White Label, Promo · Promo |
42 vinyl pressings of The Land Of Make Believe are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1981 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, Belgium, Canada and more. One of them is RCA RCA 163.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RCA 163, 103913, PB 5437, PB-50664) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RCA 163 A-1U TOWN HOUSE J.H. G 1 and RCA 163 B-1U TOWN HOUSE G J.H. 1. 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.
