Vinyl pressings
by Japan · 1981
The Art Of Parties 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.
14 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 5 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.
VS·409 · 12 A3 0 TOWN HOUSE ASide A, variant 1
VS 409 · 12 B4 0 TOWN HOUSE ASide B, variant 1
VS 409 · 12 A3 1 1 A TOWN HOUSESide A, variant 2
VS 409 · 12 · B3 1 0 A TOWN HOUSESide B, variant 2
VS 409 A1 TOWNHOUSE ASide A variation 1
VS 409 B1 TOWNHOUSE ASide B variation 1
VS 409 A2 TOWNHOUSESide A variation 2
VS 409 B2 TOWNHOUSESide B variation 2
VS 409 A-3U-1-1-1X A PORKY PRIME CUT.Runout side A
VS 409 B-3U-1-1-1 PECKORunout side B
VS409ALabel side A
VS409BLabel side B
VS-409-12-A4 :) TOWN HOUSESide A runout, etched, stamped [TOWN HOUSE], variant 1
VS 40912 B-5U-1-1-3Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
VS-409-12-A4 TOWN HOUSESide A runout, etched, stamped [TOWN HOUSE], variant 2
VS 40912 B-5U-1-1-2Side B runout, stamped, variant 2
VS 409 A1 TOWNHOUSE ASide A runout, variant 1
VS 409 B1 TOWNHOUSE ASide B runout, variant 1
VS 409 A2 TOWNHOUSE 3 4 ASide A runout, variant 2
VS 409 B2 TOWNHOUSE 3 0 ASide B runout, variant 2
VEP - 305 - A SnB-al QSide A, runout, etched
VEP · 305 - B SnB-al QSide B, runout, etched
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 | Australia | Virgin VS 409First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin VS 40912First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Misprint, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Misprint, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin VS 40912First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Virgin 103285First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Virgin VIPX-1580First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | Canada | Virgin VEP 305First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Virgin VEP 305First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Mispress | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Mispress |
| 1981 | Japan | Virgin VIPX-1580First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 409-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 409First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 409First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 409-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 409First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin VS 409First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Spain | Virgin 0267 / Ariola 02677", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Virgin VEP 30512", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Repress, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Virgin VEP 30512", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Repress, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Repress, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of The Art Of Parties are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1981 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Canada, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Virgin VS 409-12, released April 29, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 409-12, VS 409, VEP 305, VIPX-1580) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS·409 · 12 A3 0 TOWN HOUSE A and VS 409 · 12 B4 0 TOWN HOUSE A. 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.
