Vinyl pressings
by Faust · 1973
Faust IV was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 3 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 2004 A - 1U GM 1A-side, stamped, variant 1
V 2004 B - 1U 0 1B-side, stamped, variant 1
V 2004 A-1 U ADA side, stamped, variant 2
V 2004 B-1 U AOB Side, stamped, variant 2
S 87739 A-1 Made in GermanySeite 1, stamped
S 87739 B-1 Made in GermanySeite 2, stamped
VIL - 12004-1 24/10/73
VIL - 12004-2 24/10/73
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Germany | Virgin 87 739 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Italy | Virgin VIL 12004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Virgin V 2004 / Virgin V2oo4First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Australia | Virgin L 35130LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Virgin 840 019 / Virgin V 2004LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | Virgin 840 019LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1974 | South Africa | Virgin V2004 / Virgin V.2004LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Spain | Virgin 87739-ILP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Virgin YX-7058-VRLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Europe | Virgin 509996 88658 18LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2009 | Europe | Virgin 509996 88658 18LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2009 | US | Virgin V 2004LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Europe | Bureau B BB497LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Europe | Bureau B BB497LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | New Zealand | Virgin V 2004LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | New Zealand | Virgin V 2004LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
16 vinyl pressings of Faust IV are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1973 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, Germany, Italy. One of them is Virgin V 2004, released September 21, 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V 2004, 87 739 IT, VIL 12004) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V 2004 A - 1U GM 1 and V 2004 B - 1U 0 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.
