Vinyl pressings
by John Foxx · 1983
The Golden Section was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 15 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.
V 2233 A-2U-1-1--1 TOWN HOUSESide A, stamped, variant 1
V 2233 B-1U-1-1--1 TOWN HOUSESide B, stamped, variant 1
V 2233 A-2U-1-1--1 TOWN HOUSESide A, stamped, variant 2
V 2233 B-1U-1-1--2 TOWN HOUSESide B, stamped, variant 2
V-2233A 111 ⁜ 0 V 〄 ⒷSide A runout
V-2233B 111 ⁜Side B runout
V-2233-ASide A label
V-2233-BSide B label
V 2233 A-1U-1- TOWN HOUSESide A, Stamped
V 2233 B-1U-1- TOWN HOUSESide B, Stamped
MX201960Label Side 1
MX201961Label Side 2
Å MX201960 V2233-1
Å MX201961 V2233-2
META-1105A SNB 230 EL DM-1Side A runout, etched (“1” in DM-1 is stamped)
META-1105B2 SNB 230 DM-1Side B runout, etched (“1” in DM-1 is stamped)
205541 A-1/83 S III Made in GermanySide A runout
205541 B-1/83 S III Made in GermanySide B runout
S 205 541 ASide A label
S 205 541 BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin V 2233First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin V 2233First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Metal Beat META 1105 / Metal Beat META-1105First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Virgin 205 541 / Virgin 205 541-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Finland | Virgin V 2233First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Virgin 205541 / Metal Beat 205541First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | Virgin 062 VG 2233 / Virgin 062-VG 2233First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Hong Kong | Virgin V 2233First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Virgin V2233First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Virgin VIL 6068First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Virgin V2233 / Metal Beat V 2233First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Portugal | Virgin 615905First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | Virgin I-205.814First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Sweden | Virgin V2233 / Virgin V-2233First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Virgin VIL 6068First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Metamatic META77LPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | Virgin OVED 120LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 120LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of The Golden Section are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1983 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, Japan, Ireland, Australia and more. One of them is Virgin V2233, released September 26, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V2233, VIL 6068, V 2233, META 1105) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V 2233 A-2U-1-1--1 TOWN HOUSE and V 2233 B-1U-1-1--1 TOWN HOUSE. 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.
