Vinyl pressings
by Hue & Cry · 1987
Labour Of Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 3 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.
YR 4 A-1U-1- 2 ← 3 D TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout, side A, variant 1
YR 4 B-1U-1- 2 ← 2 D TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout, side B, variant 1
YR 4 A-1U-1- 1 ← GRunout, side A, variant 2
YR 4 B-1U-1- 1 ← GRunout, side B, variant 2
YR 4 A-1U-1- 2 - 1 2 D TOWNHOUSE DMMA side runout
YR 4 B-1U-1- 2 - 14 D TOWNHOUSE DMMB side runout
YR 4-AA side label
YR 4-BB side label
YRTX+4+A TOWNHOUSE ORLAKESide A runout etched
YRTX+4+B TOWNHOUSE ORLAKESide B runout etched
YRTX 4-ALabel side A
YRTX 4-BLabel side B
YR 4 A-1 U-1- 14 D TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout, side A
YR 4 B-1 U-1 20--18 D TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout, side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Europe | Virgin 109 320 / Virgin 109 320-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Portugal | Circa 505489First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Circa YRTPR 4First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | Circa YR4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Circa YR4First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Circa YRT4First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Circa YR4First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Circa YRTX 4First year10", 45 RPM | 10", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Germany | Virgin 609 320-213 / Circa 609 320-21312", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Virgin DMD 120312", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Virgin 7-993117", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Virgin 0-96643 / Virgin 7 6643-012", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | US | Virgin 7-993117", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | UK | Circa HUEST 1 / Circa 7243 8 91094 6 712", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1993 | UK | Circa HUESTDJ 112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1993 | UK | Circa HUES 1 / Circa 7243 8 91094 7 47", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Labour Of Love are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1987 and 1993.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, Europe, Portugal. One of them is Circa YR4, released June 1, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use YR4, YRT4, YRTX 4, YRTPR 4) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YR 4 A-1U-1- 2 ← 3 D TOWNHOUSE DMM and YR 4 B-1U-1- 2 ← 2 D TOWNHOUSE DMM. 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.
