Vinyl pressings
by Heaven 17 · 1982
At The Height Of The Fighting was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 5 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.
VS - 483 - 12 - A1 BILBO TAPE ONERunout, A-side, etched, Variant 1
VS - 483 - 12 - B2 BILBO TAPE ONERunout, B-side, etched, Variant 1
VS - 483 - 12 - A2 BILBO TAPE ONERunout, A-side, etched, Variant 2
VS - 483 - 12 - B1 BILBO TAPE ONERunout, B-side, etched, Variant 2
VS - 483 - 12 - A1 BILBO . TAPE ONERunout side A, etched, variant 1
VS - 483 - 12 - B2 BILBO . TAPE ONERunout side B, etched, variant 1
VS - 483 - 12 - A2 BILBO . TAPE ONE ⋀Runout side A, etched, variant 2, ⋀ is stamped
VS - 483 - 12 B¹ BILBO . TAPE ONE ⋀ CRunout side B, etched, variant 2, ⋀ C is stamped
DS 104022 A-1 / 82S 1 Made In GermanyRunout stamped side A
DS 104022 B-1 / 82S 1 Made In GermanyRunout stamped side B
S 104 022 ALabel side A
S 104 022 BLabel side B
600514 A-1/82S I Made in GermanyRunout side A
600514 B-1/82S I Made in GermanyRunout side B
S 600 514 ALabel side A
S 600 514 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Europe | Virgin 104 022 / Virgin 104 022-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Europe | Virgin 600 514 / Virgin 600 514-213First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | France | Virgin 600 533First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1982 | Germany | Ariola 104 049First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Virgin 600 514 / Virgin 600 514-213First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 483First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 483-12First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | UK | Virgin VS 483First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | UK | Virgin VS 483-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Virgin VS 483-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of At The Height Of The Fighting are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, Europe, France, Germany and more. One of them is Virgin VS 483-12, released February 12, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 483-12, VS 483, 104 022, 600 514) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS - 483 - 12 - A1 BILBO TAPE ONE and VS - 483 - 12 - B2 BILBO TAPE ONE. 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.
