Vinyl pressings
by Jimmy Ross · 1981
First True Love Affair 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.
16 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
25 FTM 31002-1N [cgd logo] 16-2-81 DDRunout area side A
25 FTM 31002-2N [cgd logo] 16-2-81 DDRunout area side B
25 FTM 31002-1NLabel side A
25 FTM 31002-2NLabel side B
25 FTM 31502-1L cgd 16-2-81 DDRunout A Side
25 FTM 31502-2L cgd 16-2-81 DDRunout B Side
25 FTM 31502-1LLabel A Side
25 FTM 31502-2LLabel B Side
SP 001 - A1 FOONSide A etched
SP 001 - B1Side B etched
FOON 81.115-A2Runout side A
81.115-B2Runout side B
81.1.15.-ALabel side A
81.1.15.-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Belgium | Spice 7 SP-0001 / Spice 7 SP .0001First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Belgium | Spice 7 81.1.15.First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | Belgium | Spice 7 81115First year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1981 | Canada | Quality QRFC 002 / RFC Records QRFC 002First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | Quality QRFC 7002 / RFC Records QRFC 7002First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | Quality QDC 32First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | Quality QRFC-002 / RFC Records QRFC-00212", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Canada | Quality QRFC 7002 / RFC Records QRFC 7002First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Germany | Dance Masters Records 880.111First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1981 | Italy | Full Time Records FTM 31002First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Italy | Full Time Records FTM 31502First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Mexico | Trebol TI-70462First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Spice 7 600.383First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Ariola 103.276First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Ariola 103.276First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Italy | Full Time Records FTM 2018-0612", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 2018 | Italy | Full Time Records FTM 2018-0612", 33 ⅓ RPM, Numbered, Remastered · Numbered | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Numbered, Remastered · Numbered |
23 vinyl pressings of First True Love Affair are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1981 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Italy, UK, Belgium, Canada and more. One of them is Full Time Records FTM 31002.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FTM 31002, FTM 31502, MFX 1, MF 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 25 FTM 31002-1N [cgd logo] 16-2-81 DD and 25 FTM 31002-2N [cgd logo] 16-2-81 DD. 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.
