Vinyl pressings
by Jon Hassell · 1980
Fourth World Vol. 1 - Possible Musics was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1980, 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.
EGED 007 A//1 E420Runout side A, variant 1
EGED 007 B//1 E420Runout side B, variant 1
EGED 007 A//1▽E420 1 2 3Runout side A, variant 2
EGED 7B//2▽E420 1 1 1Runout side B, variant 2
EGS-107-A HuB STERLING P̶V̶C̶.̶7̶9̶1̶9̶ ̶A̶Side A runout
EGS-107-B HuB STERLING P̶V̶C̶.̶7̶9̶1̶9̶ ̶B̶Side B runout
EGED-107-A SnB Al QA-side etched
EGED-107-B SnB Al QB-side etched
EGED-7-A EXP CR [XXXXXXX]Runout side A (etched)
STERLINGRunout side A (stamped)
EGED-7-B EXP [crossed out] CR [XXXXXXX]Runout side B (etched)
STERLINGRunout side B (stamped)
POL 176 2335207 1Y 380 POLYGRAMRunout side A, stamped, "POL" crossed out
POL 176 2335207 2Y 380 POLYGRAMRunout side B, stamped, "POL" crossed out
23 35 207 A 520 171080Runout side A
2335 207 B 520Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Editions EG EGED 107First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Editions EG EGED 7First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Polydor 2335 207 / EG 2335 207First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Polydor 2335 207 / Editions EG 2335 207First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Editions EG MPF 1322 / Polydor MPF 1322First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Editions EG MPF 1322 / Polydor MPF 1322First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Editions EG 2335 207First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Editions EG EGED 7 / Polydor EGED 7First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Editions EG EGS 107First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Editions EG EGS 107LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1987 | UK | Editions EG EGED 7 / Virgin EGED 7LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Germany | Glitterbeat GBLP 019LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
12 vinyl pressings of Fourth World Vol. 1 - Possible Musics are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1980 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Canada, France and more. One of them is Editions EG EGED 7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EGED 7, EGS 107, EGED 107, 2335 207) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EGED 007 A//1 E420 and EGED 007 B//1 E420. 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.
