Vinyl pressings
by Feargal Sharkey · 1985
A Good Heart was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
30 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 13 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.
VS 80812 A-1U-1-1-1Runout stamped side A variant 1
VS-808-A12-A1 Precision SMRunout etched side A variant 1
VS 80812 B-3U-1-1-1Runout stamped side B variant 1
VS 80812 A-1U-1- 1- VS-808-A 12-A1 Precision SMSide A runout stamped/etched variant 2
VS 808A-3U-1- TownhouseRunout side A, stamped/etched, variant 1
VS 808 B-2U-1- Precision SMRunout side B, stamped/etched, variant 1
VS 808 A-4U-1-1-15 TOWNHOUSERunout side A, stamped/etched, variant 2
VS 808 BA̶ -12̶ U-1-2-6 VS-808-A2 Precision SMRunout side B, stamped/etched, variant 2
VSS+808+A SRTRunout side A
VSS+808+B SRTRunout side B
VSS808 ALabel side A
VSS808 BLabel side B
SP-012165-ALabel side A
SP-012165-BLabel side B
A & M - AM - 02804 - A - RCA 1s Precision SF IRunout side A
A&M - AM - 02804 - B - RCA 1s Precision IRunout side B
VS 808 A-4U-1-1-15 TOWNHOUSERunout side A, stamped/etched, variant 2
VS 808 BA̶ -12̶ U-1-2-6 VS-808-A2 Precision SMRunout side B, stamped/etched, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Virgin VS 808-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | Virgin VS-808First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | Virgin VSX 1290First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | Virgin VS 1290First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Virgin VS1290First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 107 719 / Virgin 107 719-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 602 041 / Virgin 602041-213First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | France | Virgin 008086First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | France | Virgin 008087First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Virgin 008086First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | France | Virgin 008086First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | France | Virgin 0080877", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo |
| 1985 | Ireland | Virgin VS 808First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Italy | Virgin VIN 45171First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | Virgin VINX 102First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | Virgin VS-80567", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | Virgin VSD 8087" | 7" |
37 vinyl pressings of A Good Heart are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Virgin VS 808-12, released September 30, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 808-12, VS 808, VSS808, SP-12165) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 80812 A-1U-1-1-1 and VS-808-A12-A1 Precision SM. 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.
