Vinyl pressings
by Heaven 17 · 1981
Penthouse And Pavement 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.
9 pressings came out in 1981, 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 - 455 - A2 BILBO TA1PE ΛA side runout, etched/stamped, variant 1
VS - 455 - B1 BILBO TA1PE 1 2 ΛB side runout, etched/stamped, variant 1
VS-455-A1 BILBO TA1PEA side runout, variant 2
VS-455-B1 BILBO TA1PEB side runout, variant 2
⋀ VS 455 · 12 A1 BILBO . TA1PE 1 0Run-out side A, variant 1
⋀ VS 455 · 12 B2 BILBO . TA1PERun-out side B, variant 1
⋀ VS 455 · 12 A2 BILBO .TA1PE C1Run-out side A, variant 2
VS 455 · 12 B1 BILBO .TA1PE DRun-out side B, variant 2
VS 455 A-3U-1- 1-1 A PORKY PRIME CUT.Runout side A
VS 455 B-3U-1- 1̵ ⥛ X 1 PECKORunout side B
VS 455 aLabel side A
VS 455 bLabel side B
VS 455 12 A-2U-1-1 A PORKY PRIME CUTRun-out side A
VS 455 · 12 B1 BILBO . TA1PE C1Run-out side B
VS 455-12aLabel side A
VS 455-12bLabel side B
Å MX200916 VS455-1Side A runout
Å MX200917 VS455-2Side B runout
MX200916Side A label
MX200917Side B label
Å MX200918 VS45512-1 WARNING-HIGH LEVELSide A runout
Å MX200919 VS45512-2Side B runout
MX200918Side A label
MX200919Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin VS 455First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin VS 45512First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Virgin VS 455 / Virgin VS455First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | Virgin VINX 844First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 455-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 455 / Virgin VS455First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS455-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS455 / British Electric Foundation VS455First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS455-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | UK | Virgin VST 1457 / Virgin 7243 8 91820 6 412" | 12" |
| 1993 | UK | Virgin VSTDJ 145712", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1993 | UK | Virgin VS 1457 / Virgin 7243 8 91820 7 17", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1993 | US | Virgin Y-1266712", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of Penthouse And Pavement are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1981 and 1993.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, Ireland, Italy and more. One of them is Virgin VS 455.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 455, VS455-12, VS455, VS 45512) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS - 455 - A2 BILBO TA1PE Λ and VS - 455 - B1 BILBO TA1PE 1 2 Λ. 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.
