Vinyl pressings
by Japan · 1978
Obscure Alternatives was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 7 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.
AHAL-8007-A-2 POUNDATA1PE DAMONT I PR 007Side A runout, etched, variant 1
AHAL-8007-B-2 DAMONT PR 007 ESide B runout, etched, variant 1
AHAL-8007-A-2 DAMONT Q PR 007Side A runout, etched, variant 2
AHAL-8007-B-2 DAMONT POUNDATA1PE PR 007Side B runout, etched, variant 2
F Ʊ AHALH 8007 A2 ―Side A runout, etched
N Ʊ AHAL 8007 B1 ―Side B runout, etched
†AHALH 8007-A†Side A label
†AHALH 8007-B†Side B label
C Ʊ AHAL 8007 A2 ―Side A, runout, etched, variant 1
A Ʊ AHAL 8007 B1Side B, runout, etched, variant 1
Ʊ AHAL 8007 A1 BSide A, runout, etched, variant 2
Ʊ AHAL 8007 B1 ASide B, runout, etched, variant 2
†AHALH 8007-A†Side A label
†AHALH 8007-B†Side B label
I S SW-50047-A 1B KENDUN-D 𝑓 A8Side A runout, etched, stamped
I S SW-50047-B 1A KENDUN-D 𝑓 ASide B runout, etched, stamped
SW-1-50057Side A label
SW-2-50057Side B label
T1 SW-50047-A 3 KENDUN-BSide A runout, etched, stamped, variant 1
T1 SW-50047-B 3 KENDUN-ASide B runout, etched, stamped, variant 1
T1 SW-50047-A T KENDUN-D 𝑓Side A runout, etched, stamped, variant 2
T1 SW-50047-B KENDUN-D 𝑓Side B runout, etched, stamped, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Germany | Hansa International 200 166 / Hansa International 200 166-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Hansa International 200166 / Hansa International 200 166First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Ariola Hansa AHAL 8007First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1978 | Hong Kong | Hansa International HA 200 166-320 / Hansa International 200 166-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Ariola Records America SW-50047 / Hansa Records SW 50047First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Ariola Records America SW 50047 / Hansa Records SW 50047LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | US | Ariola Records America SW-50047 / Hansa Records SW 50047First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Ariola Records America SW-50047 / Hansa Records SW 50047First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Ariola Records America SW 50047 / Hansa Records SW 50047First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Ariola Records America SW 50047 / Hansa Records SW 50047First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Ariola Hansa VIP-6593 / Ariola Hansa AHA-6003First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | Ariola Hansa VIP-6593 / Ariola Hansa AHA-6003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Ariola Hansa AHALH 8007First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Ariola Hansa AHALH 8007First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Ariola Hansa AHALH 8007First yearLP, Album, Mispress, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Mispress, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Germany | Hansa International 200 166 / Hansa International 200 166-320LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Hansa AHALH 8007 / Ariola AHALH 8007LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Hansa AHALH 8007 / Ariola AHALH 8007LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Fame FA 4130981 / Ariola Hansa FA 41 3098 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Netherlands | Music On Vinyl MOVLP175LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Compilation, All Media, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Compilation, All Media, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Hansa International 200 166 / Hansa International 200 166-320LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Hansa AHALH 8007 / Ariola AHALH 8007LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
28 vinyl pressings of Obscure Alternatives are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1978 and 2010.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Hong Kong, Canada and more. One of them is Ariola Hansa AHALH 8007, released October 27, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AHALH 8007, AHAL 8007, SW-50047, HA 200 166-320) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AHAL-8007-A-2 POUNDATA1PE DAMONT I PR 007 and AHAL-8007-B-2 DAMONT PR 007 E. 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.
