Vinyl pressings
by Devo · 1981
Beautiful World 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.
9 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
WBSP 49826 ZOH-0005-S-PD2Runout, side A variant 1
WBSP 49826 ZNY 2600-S-PD2Runout, side B variant 1
WBSP 49826 ZNY 2600-S-PD1Runout, side A variant 2
WBSP 49826 ZOH-0005-S-PD2Runout, side B variant 2
WBS49834 ZNY 2600S-WW1 ─◁A: Hand etched
WBS49834 ZNY 2601S-WW1 ─◁B: Hand etched
ZNY 2600SLabel A-side
ZNY 2601SLabel B-side
WBS49834 ZNY 2600-S-JW1A: Hand etched
WBS49834 ZNY 2601-S-JW1B: Hand etched
ZNY 2600SLabel A-side
ZNY 2601SLabel B-side
VS-420-A2 A 8 TOWNHOUSESide A runout, variant 1
VS-420-B2 A 1 3 TOWNHOUSESide B runout, variant 1
VS-420-A2 12 TOWNHOUSE ASide A runout, variant 2
VS-420-B2 11 TOWNHOUSE ASide B runout, variant 2
(A) MX199133
(B) MX199134
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 | Warner Bros. Records WB 0537First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49834 QFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49834 Q / Warner Bros. Records WBS 49834First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49834First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 470 / Virgin VS470First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBSP 49826First year7", 45 RPM, Shape, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Shape, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1981 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49834First year7", Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1981 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49834First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49834First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBSP 498267", 45 RPM, Shape, Single, Picture Disc, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Shape, Single, Picture Disc, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Picture disc |
| 1982 | Europe | Virgin 104 021 / Virgin 104 021-1007", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | UK | Virgin VS 4707", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
12 vinyl pressings of Beautiful World are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WBSP 49826.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBSP 49826, WBS 49834, VS 470, WB 0537) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WBSP 49826 ZOH-0005-S-PD2 and WBSP 49826 ZNY 2600-S-PD2. 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.
