Vinyl pressings
by Joe Roberts · 1993
Lover was first pressed on vinyl in 1993. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1993, 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.
F 220 A1 [SNA in a circle]Runout side A, etched, except [SNA in a circle] stamped
F 220 B1 [SNA in a circle]Runout side B, etched, except [SNA in a circle] stamped
FXXDJ+220+A₂ ORLAKERunout Side A
FXXDJ+220+B₂ ORLAKERunout Side B
(FXXDJ 220B)Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Europe | FFRR F220First year7" | 7" |
| 1993 | Europe | FFRR FX 220 / FFRR 857 321-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1993 | Italy | London Records 857 321-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1993 | UK | FFRR FXXDJ 220First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1993 | UK | FFRR F 220 / FFRR 857 320-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1994 | Italy | FFRR 857 679-112" | 12" |
| 1994 | UK | FFRR fxddj 22012", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1994 | UK | FFRR FX 220 / FFRR fx 22012", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1994 | UK | FFRR 857 679-112" | 12" |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| ? | Italy | Not On Label12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
11 vinyl pressings of Lover are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1993 and 1994.
The earliest pressings are from 1993, in UK, Europe, Italy. One of them is FFRR F 220.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F 220, FXXDJ 220, F220, FX 220) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, F 220 A1 [SNA in a circle] and F 220 B1 [SNA in a circle]. 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.
