Vinyl pressings
by Henry Cow · 1975
In Praise Of Learning was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 4 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 2027 A-2U ASide A runout, variant 1
V 2027 B-3U CSide B runout, variant 1
V 2027 A-2U P 1Side A runout, variant 2
V 2027 B-3U H 1Side B runout, variant 2
V·2027·A3 D 0A-Side, stamped, variant 1
V·2027·B4 Λ 2B-Side, stamped, variant 1
V·2027·A3 B 7A-Side, stamped, variant 2
V·2027·B4 A 2B-Side, stamped, variant 2
SMX47595Side 1, Label
SMX47596Side 2, Label
SMX·47595 2BSide 1
SMX·47596 2BSide 2
MPO BLY 840083 ASide A runout, stamped
MPO BLY 840083 BSide B runout, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Virgin L-35608 / Virgin V 2027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | France | Virgin 840083 / Virgin 840 083First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Italy | Virgin VIL 12027First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Virgin V2027 / Virgin V.2027First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Virgin V 2027First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | France | Barclay 840083LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | France | LTM LTM 1010LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | Italy | Virgin VIL 12027LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | France | Celluloid CEL 2-1010 / Celluloid LTM 1010LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | Japan | Virgin VIP-4049LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | US | Red Records RED 003LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | UK | Broadcast Records BC3LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | UK & Europe | ReR Megacorp RER VHC3LP, Album, Remastered, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Remastered, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 2017 | UK & Europe | ReR Megacorp RER VHC3LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Red Records RED 003LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of In Praise Of Learning are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1975 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, Australia, France, Italy. One of them is Virgin V2027.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V2027, V 2027, L-35608, 840083) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V 2027 A-2U A and V 2027 B-3U 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.
