Vinyl pressings
by Japan · 1981
Quiet Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 2 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.
Ʊ JEFF HANSA 6 A1 I DAMONT TBSide A runout, etched - variant 1
Ʊ HANSA 6 B1 I DAMONT YBSide B runout, etched - variant 1
Ʊ JEFF HANSA 6 A1 1 DAMONT ASide A runout, etched - variant 2
Ʊ HANSA 6 B1 1 DAMONT FSide B runout, etched - variant 2
Made In GermanySide A / B stamped
ƱTOPIA - JEFF 020 HANSA 126 A1 3ᴬSide A runout, hand etched
Ʊ 020 HANSA 126 B1 2ᴬSide B runout, hand etched
†HANSA 12-6-A†Side A label
ƱTOPIA - JEFF HANSA 126 1ᴬSide A runout, etched
Ʊ HANSA 126 B1 2Side B runout, etched
†HANSA 12-6-A†Side A label
†HANSA 12-6-B†Side B label
ƱTOPIA - JEFF HANSA 126 A1 ―Side A runout, etched, variant 1
Ʊ HANSA 126 B1 2Side B runout, etched, variant 1
ƱTOPIA - JEFF HANSA 126 A1 2A ASide A runout, etched, variant 2
Ʊ HANSA 126 B1 1A BSide B runout, etched, variant 2
HANSA 126 A1 ƱTOPIA - JEFF DAMONT CSide A runout, hand etched, variant 1
HANSA 126 B1 [Ʊ Lyre Logo] 1ᴬ DAMONT GSide B runout, hand etched, variant 1
HANSA 126 A1 ƱTOPIA - JEFF 2ᴬ DAMONT QSide A runout, hand etched, variant 2
HANSA 126 B1 [Ʊ Lyre Logo] 1ᴬ DAMONT RSide B runout, hand etched, variant 2
020 Ʊ JEFF HANSA 6 A1 Ⅱ I Made in GermanySide A runout, etched, stamped, variant 1
Made in Germany 020 Ʊ HANSA 6 B1 Ⅱ 3Side B runout, etched, stamped, variant 1
Made in Germany 020 Ʊ JEFF HANSA 6 A1 Ⅱ ISide A runout, etched, stamped, variant 2
Made in Germany 020 Ʊ HANSA 6 B1 3Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | UK | Hansa HANSA 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Ariola Hansa HANSA 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | Ariola Hansa HANSA 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Hansa HANSA 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Hansa HANSA 12-6 / Hansa HANSA126First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Hansa HANSA 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Hansa HANSA 12-6First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Hansa HANSA 12-6 / Hansa HANSA126First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Hansa HANSA 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | Hansa HANSA 12-6 / Hansa HANSA126First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Quiet Life are listed here, from 2 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Ireland. One of them is Hansa HANSA 6, released August 21, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HANSA 6, HANSA 12-6) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Ʊ JEFF HANSA 6 A1 I DAMONT TB and Ʊ HANSA 6 B1 I DAMONT YB. 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.
