Vinyl pressings
by Howard Jones · 1984
Like To Get To Know You Well 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.
36 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 12 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.
HOW 5 T A // 3 ∇ 420 RRunout side A, stamped, variant 1
HOW 5 T B // 2 ∇ 420 RRunout side B, stamped, variant 1
HOW 5 T A // 2 ∇ 420 RRunout side A, stamped, variant 2
HOW 5 T B // 2 ∇ 420 RRunout side B, stamped, variant 2
HOW 5 A//1∇ 420 R ARUNA-side runout
HOW 5 B//1∇ 420 RB-side runout
HOW 5 A//1∇ 420 R ARUNSide A runout
HOW 5 B//1∇ 420 RSide B runout
HOW 5 A // 1 ▽ 420 R 1 4 1 8 ARUNStamped runout, side A, 'ARUN' is etched
HOW 5 B // 1 ▽ 420 R 1 2Stamped runout, side B
HOW 5 A//1∇ 420 R ARUNA-side runout
HOW 5 B//1∇ 420 RB-side runout
HOW 5 A//1∇ 420 R ARUNSide A runout
HOW 5 B//1∇ 420 RSide B runout
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 | WEA 7-249298First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Australia | WEA 7-249298First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | WEA 7-249298First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | WEA HOWARD 1First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | WEA PRO 45First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Europe | WEA 249 298-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | WEA 249 298-0 / WEA HOW 5 (T)First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Ireland | WEA HOW 5 / WEA 249298-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Ireland | WEA HOW 5(T) / WEA 249298-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Italy | WEA 24 9298-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Italy | WEA 24 9298-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | WEA 24 9298-07", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | New Zealand | WEA 7-249298First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Portugal | WEA 22924-9298-0First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | South Africa | WEA WIS 613First year7", Single | 7", Single |
42 vinyl pressings of Like To Get To Know You Well are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, South Africa, Australia and more. One of them is WEA HOW 5(T), released August 11, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HOW 5(T), HOW 5, 7-69598, WIS 613) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HOW 5 T A // 3 ∇ 420 R and HOW 5 T B // 2 ∇ 420 R. 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.
