Vinyl pressings
by John Foxx · 1981
Europe After The Rain 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.
15 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 6 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.393.A.2 UtopiaRunout, A side - etched, variant 1
VS 393 B2̶̷ 1 URunout, B side - etched, variant 1 ("U" is the lyre symbol)
VS.393.A.2 UtopiaRunout, A side - etched, variant 2
VS 393 B2 URunout, B side - etched, variant 2 ("U" is the lyre symbol)
VS . 393 . 12 . A1Runout, A-side, variant 1
VS 393 . 12 B2Runout, B-side, variant 1
VS . 393 . 12 . A1 ∴Runout A-side, variant 2
VS . 393 . 12 . B1 ∴Runout, B-side, variant 2
VS 393 ·12 A2 Λ ƱTOPIARunout, A-side, etched - variant 1 and 2
VS . 393 . 12 .B . 2̶̷ 1 ΛRunout, B-side, etched - variant 1
VS 393. 12 B2 ΛRunout, B-side, etched - variant 2
VS.393.12.A.2̶ 1 [lyre symbol]TOPIA ⋀Side A runout variant 3
VS.393.A. ̶2̶ 1 Ʊtopia 14 ΛSide A runout, variant 1
VS 393 B2̶̷ 1 Ʊ 0 ΛSide B runout, variant 1
VS-393-A- ̶2̶ 1 Ʊtopia 5 ΛSide A runout, variant 2
VS-393-B-2 0 Λ ƱSide B runout, variant 2
VS 393 . 12 A2 Λ UtopiaRunout side A
VS 393. 12 B2 BRunout side B
vs 393-12aSide A label
vs 393-12bSide B label
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 | Germany | Virgin 103 624 / Virgin 103 624 - 100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Mexico | Virgin S-635First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Virgin 103.624First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Virgin 103 624 / Virgin 103 624 - 100First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Virgin 103.624 / Ariola 103.624First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Metal Beat VS393-12 / Virgin VS393-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin VS 393First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Metal Beat VS 393First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | Metal Beat VS 39312 / Virgin VS 39312First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Mexico | Virgin SL-7066First year12" | 12" |
| 1981 | UK | Metal Beat VS 393 / Virgin VS 393First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 393-12 / Metal Beat VS 393-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 393-12 / Metal Beat VS 393-12First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1981 | UK | Metal Beat VS 393 / Virgin VS 393First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 393-12 / Metal Beat VS 393-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of Europe After The Rain are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, Mexico, Germany and more. One of them is Metal Beat VS 393, released August 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 393, VS 393-12, VS 39312, SL-7066) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS.393.A.2 Utopia and VS 393 B2̶̷ 1 U. 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.
