Vinyl pressings
by Generation X · 1979
Valley Of The Dolls was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 10 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.
CHR 1193 A // 2 E PStamped, Runout Side A [Variant 1]
CHR 1193 B // 1 E PStamped, Runout Side B [Variant 1]
CHR 1193 A // 2 ▽ E P 1 2 1Stamped, Runout Side A [Variant 2]
CHR 1193 B // 1 E P 1 1Stamped, Runout Side B [Variant 2]
CHR-1193-A ② >variant 1 side A
CHR-1193-B ② >variant 1 side B
/S CHR-1193-A ② > SXT Dvariant 2 side A
2S CHR-1193-B ① > SX Bvariant 2 side B
CHR 1193 A // 2 E PSide A
CHR 1193 B // 1 E PSide B
1 SMX53893 .2BSide A runout
2 SMX53894 .2BSide B runout
SMX-53893Side A label
SMX-53894Side B label
51-1193-A-38673-1-Y HNRunout side A. Etched
51-1193-B-38674-1-Y HNRunout side B. Etched
TXD CHR1193-A ◎Side A
TX CHR1193-B ◎Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Chrysalis L36856 / Chrysalis CHR 1193First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Benelux | Chrysalis 51 1193 / Chrysalis 51-1193First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Chrysalis CHR 1193First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Chrysalis 6307 648First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Chrysalis 6307 648First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Ireland | Chrysalis CHR 1193First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Chrysalis WWS-81199First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Chrysalis L36856 / Chrysalis CHR 1193First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1193First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Chrysalis CHR 1193First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1193First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Chrysalis WWS-81199First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | US | Chrysalis PV 41193LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Chrysalis PV 41193LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1988 | US | Chrysalis PV 41193LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Chrysalis CHM 41193LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1193LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1193LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Chrysalis PV 41193LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of Valley Of The Dolls are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1979 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, France, Australia and more. One of them is Chrysalis CHR 1193, released January 26, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHR 1193, L36856, 51 1193, 6307 648) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHR 1193 A // 2 E P and CHR 1193 B // 1 E P. 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.
