Vinyl pressings
by Graham Bonnet · 1981
Night Games was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
VER 1 A // 2 ▽ E TH 1 1 6Side A runout variant 1
VER 1 B // 1 ▽ E TH 1 1 TOWN HOUSESide B runout variant 1
VER 1 A // 1 ▽ E TH 1 1 0 3 TOWN HOUSEA-side runout variant 2
VER 1 B // 2 ▽ E TH 1 3 TOWN HOUSEB-side runout variant 2
VER 1 A // 1 ∇ E TH TOWN HOUSESide A runout
VER 1 B // 2 ∇ E TH TOWN HOUSESide B runout
9820-700T 6000 637-A
015 6000637 1 380 POLYGRAMRunout Stamped Side A
015 6000637 2 380 POLYGRAMRunout Stamped Side B
10 AA6000637 1W 320 1 CRunout side A
10 AA6000637 2W 320 1 BRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Mercury 6000 637First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Vertigo 6000 637First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Vertigo 6000 637First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Vertigo VER 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Japan | Vertigo 7PP-33First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Japan | Vertigo 7PP-33First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6000 637First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Portugal | Vertigo 6000 637First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | South Africa | Vertigo TOS 1308First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Spain | Vertigo 6000 637First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Vertigo VER 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Vertigo VER 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Vertigo VER 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Vertigo 7PP-337", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Vertigo 7PP-337", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
15 vinyl pressings of Night Games are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1981 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is Vertigo VER 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VER 1, 6000 637, 7PP-33, TOS 1308) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VER 1 A // 2 ▽ E TH 1 1 6 and VER 1 B // 1 ▽ E TH 1 1 TOWN HOUSE. 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.
