Vinyl pressings
by Edgar Froese · 1974
Aqua was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1974, 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.
V 2016 A-1U PN ASide A run-out area stamped, PN A etched - variant 1
V 2016 B-1U PN BSide B run-out area stamped, PN B etched - variant 1
V 2016 A-1U PN A 1Side A run-out area stamped, PN A etched - variant 2
V 2016 B-1U PN /B O 1Side B run-out area stamped, PN /B etched - variant 2
ST-VR-743213-A AT PRRunout Side A etched
ST-VR-743214-A AT PRRunout Side B etched
ST-VR-743213 PRLabel Side A
ST-VR 743214 PRLabel Side B
ST-VR-743213-A A MR AT △19428(R) PRSide A runout
ST-VR-743214-A A MR AT △19428-X PRSide B runout
ST-VR-743213 MOLabel side A
ST-VR 743214 MOLabel side B
ST-VR-743213-A AA- AT D PRRunout Side A etched
ST-VR-743214-A AA- AT D PRRunout Side B etched
ST-VR-743213RILabel Side A
ST-VR-743214RILabel Side B
SMX.44670 2A.Side 1 (Variant 1)
SMX.44670 2CSide 2 (Variant 1)
SMX·44669 2ASide 1 (Variant 2)
SMX·44670 2BSide 2 (Variant 2)
VIR 840041 A1 CIDIS A7Side A, stamped
VIR 840041 B C IDIS A12Side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Virgin L-35247First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Virgin 840041 / Virgin XBLY 840.041First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Virgin 840041 / Virgin XBLY 840.041First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Brain 1053 / Metronome 1053First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Italy | Virgin VIL 12016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Virgin YX-7015-VRFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Virgin VR 13-111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Virgin VR 13-111 / Virgin VR 13-111-0698First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Virgin VR 13-111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Virgin V 2016First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Brazil | Virgin VRLP-11993 / Virgin VRLP11993LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | Brain brain 1053 / Brain 1053LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1975 | Spain | Virgin 88861-ILP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Spain | Virgin 88861-ILP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Brain 0001.053 / Brain 1053LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Germany | Brain 0060.404 / Metronome 0060.404LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | Virgin 88.861-I / Virgin 88861-ILP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Spain | Virgin 88.861-I / Virgin 88861-ILP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | France | Virgin 2812 022LP, Limited Edition, Promo, Reissue, Box Set · Promo, Limited | LP, Limited Edition, Promo, Reissue, Box Set · Promo, Limited |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin OVED 20LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Virgin 2933 725LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Brain BRAIN 1053 / Brain 1053LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 20LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Virgin V 2016LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Virgin V 2016LP, Album | LP, Album |
29 vinyl pressings of Aqua are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1974 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, Australia, France and more. One of them is Virgin V 2016, released June 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V 2016, VR 13-111, L-35247, 840041) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V 2016 A-1U PN A and V 2016 B-1U PN B. 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.
