Vinyl pressings
by Heatwave · 1980
Candles was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, the album's first year, in 7 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.
GTLP 047 A3 PAL-36873-ENG -✔-✔ TML-SA runout, variant 1
GTLP 047 B3 PAL-36873-ENG -✔-✔ TML-SB runout, variant 1
GTLP 047 A3 PAL-36873-ENG -✔ 2 TML-S ΛA runout, variant 2
GTLP 047 B2 PAL-36873-ENG -✔ 2 TML-M ΛB runout, variant 2
GTLP 047 A1A label
GTLP 047 B1B label
PAL-36873-ENG
PBL-36873-ENG
T I PAL-36873-1J TML-M Λ 7Runout side A
TI PBL-36873-1N TML-M DRunout side B
AL 36873Label side A
BL 36873Label side B
p PAL-36873-1D TML-SRunout A
p PBL-36873-1C TML-M ARunout B
AL 36873Label A
BL 36873Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Europe | Epic EPC 84703First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Epic 25-3P-256First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Epic 25･3P-256First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Epic 25-3P-256First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Epic ELPS 4161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | Epic KSF 2590 / GTO KSF 2590First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | GTO GTLP 047First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | GTO GTLP 047First yearLP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Epic FE 36873First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Canada | Epic FE 36873First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Epic FE 36873First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Epic FE 36873First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Epic FE 36873First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4161LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Epic ELPS 4161LP, Album | LP, Album |
15 vinyl pressings of Candles are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is GTO GTLP 047.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GTLP 047, FE 36873, EPC 84703, 25･3P-256) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GTLP 047 A3 PAL-36873-ENG -✔-✔ TML-S and GTLP 047 B3 PAL-36873-ENG -✔-✔ TML-S. 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.
