Vinyl pressings
by Fun Boy Three · 1983
Waiting was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. 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 1983, the album's first year, in 15 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.
CH R 1417 A//1▽420 U 1 1 1 2 ƱTOPIA.Side A runout - Variant 1
CHR 1417 B//1▽420 U 1 1 1 ƱTOPIA.Side B runout - variant 1
CHR 1417 A//1▽420 U 11 12 ƱTOPIA.Side A runout - Variant 2
CHR 1417 B//1▽420 U 11 14 ƱTOPIA.Side B runout - variant 2
CH R 1417 A//1▽420 U 1 1 1 3 UtopiaSide A runouts
CHR 1417 B//1▽420 U 1 1 1 4 UtopiaSide B runouts
CH R 1417 A//1▽420 U 1 1 1 2 ƱTOPIA.Side A runout, stamped, etched [ƱTOPIA.], variant 1
CHR 1417 B//1▽420 U 1 1 1 ƱTOPIA.Side B runout, stamped, etched [ƱTOPIA.], variant 1
CHR 1417 A//1▽420 U 1 1 3 ƱTOPIA.Side A runout, stamped, etched [ƱTOPIA.], variant 2
CHR 1417 B//1▽420 U 1 1 5 ƱTOPIA.Side B runout, stamped, etched [ƱTOPIA.], variant 2
CHR 1417 A 1 (? looks like woman's symbol with legs) DDCS CP YIISide A runout
CHR 1417 B 1 (? looks like woman's symbol with legs) DDCS CP YIISide B runout
CH R 1417 A//1▽420 U 1 1 1 1 UtopiaSide A runouts
CHR 1417 B//1▽420 U 1 1 1 9 UtopiaSide B runouts
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Chrysalis L 37982First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Chrysalis CHR 1417First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Chrysalis CHS 41417First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Chrysalis 205 289 / Chrysalis 205 289-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Chrysalis 205 289 / Chrysalis 205 289-270First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Chrysalis 205 289 / Chrysalis 205 289-320First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1983 | Europe | Chrysalis 205 289 / Chrysalis 205 289-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Chrysalis CHR 1417First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | Chrysalis 811157-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Greece | Chrysalis 811157-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Hong Kong | Chrysalis CHR 1417First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Ireland | Chrysalis CHR 1417First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Israel | Chrysalis CHR 1417First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Chrysalis WWS-81571 / Chrysalis CHR-1417First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Chrysalis L 37982 / Chrysalis CHR 1417First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Worldwide | Chrysalis Catalogue CHV1427LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1417LP, Album | LP, Album |
34 vinyl pressings of Waiting are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1983 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Chrysalis CHR 1417.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHR 1417, B6V 41417, PV 41417, L 37982) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CH R 1417 A//1▽420 U 1 1 1 2 ƱTOPIA. and CHR 1417 B//1▽420 U 1 1 1 ƱTOPIA.. 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.
