Vinyl pressings
by Heaven 17 · 1984
How Men Are was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. 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 1984, the album's first year, in 16 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.
V 2326 A-1 U-1-1Side A runout variant 1
V 2326 B-2 U-1-1-CSide B runout variant 1
V 2326 A-2U-1-1-1 [treble clef symbol]Side A runout variant 2
V 2326 B-2U-1-1-1 [treble clef symbol]Side B runout variant 2
A1 A AL•8•8259•SA-1 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK ¢Runout side A, variant 1
A1 B AL•8•8259•SB-1Runout side B, variant 1
AL·8 · 8259 · SA - 2 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK ¢ 1 A1 BRunout side A, variant 2
AL·8 · 8259 · SB - 1 1 A2 4Runout side B, variant 2
AL•8•8259•SA1 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK ¢ EMWSide A runout, etched
AL•8•8259•SB-1 EMWSide B runout, etched
AL 8-8259 SASide A label
AL 8-8259 SBSide B label
MX240813Side 1 Printed Label
MX240813Side 2 Printed Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin V 2326First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Brazil | Virgin 104.8333 / RCA 104.8333First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Virgin VL 2304First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 206 614 / Virgin 206 614-620First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Virgin 70277First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | Virgin VG 50081First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Ireland | Virgin V2326First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | Virgin V2326 / Virgin V 2326First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Mexico | Virgin LA-621First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Virgin V2326First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Portugal | Virgin 626 405First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Portugal | Virgin 626405First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | South Africa | Virgin VNC 5053First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | Virgin T-206 614First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Arista AL 8-8259 / Arista AL8-8259First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | UK | Demon Records DEMREC374LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
20 vinyl pressings of How Men Are are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1984 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Virgin V2326, released October 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V2326, AL 8-8259, 25VB-1005, V 2326) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V 2326 A-1 U-1-1 and V 2326 B-2 U-1-1-C. 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.
