Vinyl pressings
by George Benson · 1985
The Love Songs 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.
14 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 8 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.
R/S Alsdorf 240886-1 A 26Side A runout [stamped, "26" etched] Variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 240886-1 BXXX 2Side B runout [stamped, "XXX 2" etched] Variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 229 240886-1-A2Side A runout [stamped] Variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 229 240886-1-B2Side B runout [stamped] Variant 2
NE 1308 A1 PAGSide A
NE 1308 B1 PAGSide B
NE 1308 A2 GRAMPIANSide A Runout, Etched
NE-1308-B GRAMPIAN BBSide B Runout, Etched
CBS - NE 12̶308 A2 AA side runout. Variant 1
CBS - NE 1308 B1 AB side runout. Variant 1
NE.1308.A-3 AA side runout. Variant 2
CBS-NE 1308 B1 AB side runout. Variant 2
NE - 1308 - A. 2 MT. DAMONTA side runout, etched
NE - 1308 - B. MT. 1 DAMONTB side runout, etched
NE 1308 AA side label
NE 1308 BB side label
CBS — NE 1308 A1Etched runout, side A
DStamped runout, side A
CBS — NE 1X̶308 B2Etched runout, side B
50 DStamped runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | K-Tel NA 693First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 240 836-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Europe | WEA 240 886-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | WEA 240 886-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | Ireland | K-Tel NE 1308First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | New Zealand | K-Tel NE 1308 / Warner Bros. Records NE 1308First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records NE 1308First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBC 1596First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Music WBX 46First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | UK | K-Tel NE 1308 / Warner Bros. Records NE 1308First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | UK | K-Tel NE 1308 / Warner Bros. Records NE 1308First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | K-Tel NE 1308 / Warner Bros. Records NE 1308First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | UK | K-Tel NE 1308First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | UK | K-Tel NE 1308 / Warner Bros. Records NE 1308First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1986 | Netherlands | Arcade ADEH 210LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
17 vinyl pressings of The Love Songs are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Europe, UK, Australia, Germany and more. One of them is WEA 240 886-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 240 886-1, NE 1308, NA 693, 240 836-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 240886-1 A 26 and R/S Alsdorf 240886-1 BXXX 2. 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.
