Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Hates Jazz · 1988
Heart Of Gold was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. 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 1988, 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.
VST 1045 A-1U-1-1- DD HI KATHY TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout side A, variant 1
VST 1045 B-1U-1- TOWNHOUSE DMM DRunout side B, variant 1
VST 1045 A-1U-1-1- DD HI KATHY TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout side A, variant 2
VST 1045 B-1U-1-1- TOWNHOUSE DMM DDRunout side B, variant 2
PS 1045 A-1U-1-6 TOWNHOUSE DMM CHRISTINE, WELCOME TO THE GRAVE YARD SHIFT DRunout side A
VS 1045 B-1U-1-4 TOWNHOUSE DMM DRunout side B
VST 1045-ALabel side A
VST 1045-BLabel side B
VS 1045 A-1U-1-Q1A side runout stamped
VS 1045 B-1U-1-Q1B side runout stamped
VS 1045-ALabel side A
VS 1045-BLabel side B
PS 1045 A-1U-1-5- TOWNHOUSE DMM CHRISTINE, WELCOME TO THE GRAVE YARD SHIFT DRunout side A
VS 1045 B-1U-1-4 TOWNHOUSE DMM DRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australasia | Virgin VST 1045First year45 RPM, 12" | 45 RPM, 12" |
| 1988 | Australasia | Virgin VS 1045First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Europe | Virgin 609 825 / Virgin 609 825-213First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Europe | Virgin 109 825 / Virgin 109 825-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | France | Virgin 80382First year12" | 12" |
| 1988 | France | Virgin 90429First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Ireland | Virgin VS 1045First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Italy | Virgin VINX 45265 / Virgin VIN 45265First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | Italy | Virgin VINX 204First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Philippines | Virgin OC-EP-17188 / Virgin VST 1045First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | Virgin VS 1045First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | Virgin VSX 1045First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered |
| 1988 | UK | Virgin VST1045First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | Virgin VS 1045First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | Virgin VST 1045First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
17 vinyl pressings of Heart Of Gold are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, Australasia, Europe, France and more. One of them is Virgin VST 1045, released February 15, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VST 1045, VS 1045, VSX 1045, VST1045) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VST 1045 A-1U-1-1- DD HI KATHY TOWNHOUSE DMM and VST 1045 B-1U-1- TOWNHOUSE DMM D. 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.
