Vinyl pressings
by Howard Jones · 1984
Hide & Seek 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.
24 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 6 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.
R/S Alsdorf HOW 3T A 249480-0 A BE 31Side A runout, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf HOW 3T B 249480-0 B G B 36Side B runout, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf HOW 3T A 249480-0 A 5Side A runout, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf HOW 3T B 249480-0 B GB 11Side B runout, variant 2
HOW 3T A - 2U - 1 - 2 - Whatever Howard does – Wycombe will helpRunout, side A
HOW 3T B - 2U - 1 - 2 - Take a risk – buy the albumRunout, side B
HOW 3T A - 2U - 1 - 1 -Runout, Side A (Variant 2)
HOW 3T B - 2U - 1 - 1 -Runout, Side B (Variant 2)
HOW-3 A3 *MT* DAMONT This time No 1 AS ARUNEtching, side A
HOW-3 B3 The Brilliant Town Hall Gig *MT* AI DAMONT 6Etching, side B
HOW 3 A*Side A label
HOW 3 B*Side B label
ARUN HOW 3 A-2U-1 2 5Side A
HOW 3 B-2U-1-1..9Side B
HOW 3T A3 DAMONT ❊MT❊ Whatever Howard does - Wycombe will helpRunout Side A
HOW 3T B3 Take a RISK - Buy the Album ❊MT❊ DAMONTRunout Side B
HOW 3T A*Label Side A
HOW 3T B*Label Side B
R/S Alsdorf HOW 3 A 249481-7 A SR ARUNSide A runout, stamped, SR ARUN etched
R/S Alsdorf HOW 3 B 249481-7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Europe | WEA 249 481-7 / WEA 12-9481-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | WEA 249 480-0 / WEA HOW 3TFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Europe | WEA 249 480-0 / WEA HOW 3TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Ireland | WEA HOW 3 / WEA 249481-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Ireland | WEA HOW 3(T)First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1984 | Italy | WEA 24 9480-0First year12" | 12" |
| 1984 | Netherlands | WEA 249 481-7 / WEA 24-9481-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Spain | WEA S 249481-7First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Spain | WEA MS 24 9480-0 / WEA MS 249480-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Spain | WEA S 249481-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | WEA HOW 3 PT / WEA HOW 3PTFirst year7", Shape, Picture Disc, 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Picture disc | 7", Shape, Picture Disc, 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1984 | UK | WEA HOW 3L / WEA 2494800First year10", 45 RPM, Single | 10", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | WEA SAM 32712", Single Sided, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Single Sided, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | UK | WEA HOW 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | WEA HOW 3T / WEA 249480-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of Hide & Seek are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Europe, Ireland, Italy and more. One of them is WEA HOW 3T, released February 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HOW 3T, HOW 3, HOW 3 PT, HOW 3L) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf HOW 3T A 249480-0 A BE 31 and R/S Alsdorf HOW 3T B 249480-0 B G B 36. 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.
