Vinyl pressings
by Heaven 17 · 1983
The Luxury Gap was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 20 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 2253 A-1-1-1-2A-side runout - Variant 1
V 2253 B-1-1-1-6B-side runout - Variant 1
V 2253 A-1-1-2-8A-side runout - Variant 2
V 2253 B-1-1-1-8B-side runout - Variant 2
V 2253 A 3 ⋀ TOWN HOUSERunout variant 1, A-side
V 2253 B 1 ⋀ TOWN HOUSERunout variant 1, B-side
V•2253•A3 TOWN HOUSE ⋀Runout variant 2, A-side
V•2253 B2 TOWN HOUSE ⋀Runout variant 2, B-side
V 2253 A-3U-1-1-1Side A, Stamped
V 2253 B-3U-1-1 1Side B, Stamped
BILBO TAPE ONESide A & B, Etched
V 2253 A-1-1-2-10
V 2253 B-1-1-1-10
AL-8-8020-SA-1 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK ¢ I A I CSide A runout, variant 1
AL-8-8020-SB-1 I A I BSide B runout, variant 1
AL.8.8020.SA-1 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK ¢ I A1ESide A runout, variant 2
AL.8.8020.SB-1 I A1ISide B runout, variant 2
HRM A– ⟷ AL·8020·SA ➛ Al 9628SA MASTERING BY RANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK ₵Runout side A, etched/stamped, variant 1
HRM H̸R̸M̸ H̸R̸M̸ A– ⟷ AL·8020·SB ➛ Al 9628S✳︎BRunout side B, etched, variant 1
HRM A - ⟷ AL·8̶0̶2̶0̶·SA 9628 A ₵ MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORKRunout side A, etched/stamped, variant 2
HRM H̶R̶M̶ H̶R̶M̶ A - ⟷ AL·8·8̶0̶2̶0̶·SB 9628 BRunout side B, etched, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | Virgin VL 2253First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Virgin VL 2253First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Virgin 205 337 / Virgin 205 337-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Virgin 205 337 / Virgin 205 337-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Finland | Virgin V 2253 / Virgin V2253First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Virgin 205337First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Virgin 205337First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Virgin 205 337First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Virgin 46 957 7LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | Greece | Virgin 14C 062-VG50000 / Virgin 062-VG50000First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | Virgin V2253 / Virgin V 2253First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Israel | Virgin BAN 2253First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Virgin V 2253First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Virgin VIL-6041 / Virgin VIRG-6041First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Virgin VIL-6041 / Virgin VIRG-6041First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | UK | Demon Records DEMREC373LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | UK | Demon Records DEMREC1250LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
37 vinyl pressings of The Luxury Gap are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1983 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Portugal, Mexico and more. One of them is Virgin V2253, released April 25, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V2253, V 2253, AL 8-8020, AL 9628) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V 2253 A-1-1-1-2 and V 2253 B-1-1-1-6. 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.
