Vinyl pressings
by Demis Roussos · 1979
Universum was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 17 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.
PHI 6303 194 1Y 380 POLYGRAM A12A-Side run-out, pressed, variant 1
PHI 6303 194 2Y 380 POLYGRAM A2B-Side run-out, pressed, variant 1
PHI 6303 194 1Y 380 POLYGRAM B2A-Side run-out, pressed, variant 2
PHI 6303 194 2Y 380 POLYGRAM B2B-Side run-out, pressed, variant 2
PHI 6303 194 1Y 380 POLYGRAM A12A-Side run-out, pressed, variant 1
PHI 6303 194 2Y 380 POLYGRAM A2B-Side run-out, pressed, variant 1
PHI 6303 194 1Y 380 POLYGRAM B2A-Side run-out, pressed, variant 2
PHI 6303 194 2Y 380 POLYGRAM B2B-Side run-out, pressed, variant 2
SRM-1-3744-AA Side Etching
SRM-1-3744-BB Side Etching
6303 196 ARunout Area Side A
6303 196 BRunout Area 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | Philips 9198 295First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-3744First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-3744First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Chile | Philips 6303 191First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Colombia | Philips 6303 196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Philips 6303.194 / Philips 6303 194First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Philips 6303.194 / Philips 6303 194First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Philips 6303 195First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Philips 6303 195First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Greece | Philips 6303 194First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Guatemala | Philips 6303 196First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Israel | Phonodor 13166First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | Philips 6303 191First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Panama | Philips 6303 196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Peru | Philips Y-PHI 6303196.0First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Bolivia | Philips PHL-28-2LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
22 vinyl pressings of Universum are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in France, Argentina, Canada, Chile and more. One of them is Philips 6303.194.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6303.194, 9198 295, SRM-1-3744, 6303 191) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PHI 6303 194 1Y 380 POLYGRAM A12 and PHI 6303 194 2Y 380 POLYGRAM A2. 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.
