Vinyl pressings
by Go West · 1986
True Colours was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
GOW 4 A // 6 ∇ 420 H 1 1 1 TOWNHOUSEStamped runout side A variant 1
GOW 4 B // 1 ∇ 420 H 1 1 1 TOWNHOUSEStamped runout side B variant 1
GOW 4 A//1 ∇ 4̶2̶ 420 H TOWNHOUSESide A runout variant 2, stamped and etched
GOW 4 B//2 ∇ 420 H TOWNHOUSESide B runout variant 2, stamped and etched
GOW* 4 A//1∇ 420HT- 11 1 TOWNHOUSE.Runout Side A
GOW* 4 B//4∇ 420 T 11 3 TOWNHOUSERunout Side B
GOWP 4-AMatrix side A picture
GOWP 4-BMatrix side B picture
GOW+4+A ORLAKE TOWNHOUSERunout side A, etched
GOW+4+B ORLAKERunout side B, etched
GOW 4 A//1 ∇ 4̶2̶ 420 H 1 1 2 TOWNHOUSERunout side A stamped & etched
GOW 4 B//2 ∇ 420 H 1 1 2 TOWNHOUSERunout side B stamped & etched
GOW 1 A // 1 ▽ 420 R 1 1 2 4 ARUNRunout side C stamped & etched
GOW 1 B // 2 ▽ 420 R 1 1 2 3Runout side D stamped & etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Chrysalis X 14458 / Chrysalis X-14458First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1986 | Europe | Chrysalis 108 718First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Chrysalis 608 718First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | France | Chrysalis 888 220-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | France | Chrysalis 888 220-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Ireland | Chrysalis GOW 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Italy | Chrysalis CHSC 341First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | Japan | Chrysalis S14-163First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Japan | Chrysalis WWS-17686First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Japan | Chrysalis S14-163First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Japan | Chrysalis WWS-17686First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Portugal | Chrysalis 515442First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | Chrysalis GOWX 4First year12" | 12" |
| 1986 | UK | Chrysalis 608 718First year12" | 12" |
| 1986 | UK | Chrysalis GOWG 4First year7" | 7" |
20 vinyl pressings of True Colours are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, Australia, Europe, France and more. One of them is Chrysalis GOW 4, released November 17, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GOW 4, GOWX 4, 608 718, GOWG 4) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GOW 4 A // 6 ∇ 420 H 1 1 1 TOWNHOUSE and GOW 4 B // 1 ∇ 420 H 1 1 1 TOWNHOUSE. 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.
