Vinyl pressings
by Juan Martin · 1984
Love Theme From The Thorn Birds was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 5 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.
X 9518 A-1-1-3-5Runout, stamped, side A, variant 1
X 9518 B-1-1-1->3Runout, stamped, side B, variant 1
X 9518 B-1-1-1-Runout, stamped, side A, variant 2
X 9518 B-1-1-1-16Runout, stamped, side A, variant 2
X 9518 A-1-1Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
X 9518 B-1-1Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
X 9518 A-1-1-Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
X 9518 B-1-1-Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
X 9518 A-1-1-Side A
X 9518 B-1-1-Side B
R/S Alsdorf 929697-7 A 2 x 249428-7 A2 xx BERunout A, stamped [etched "xx", "xx", "248925-7 A² xx D"], variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 249428-7 B=248925-7 B Penthouse X 95/8-A² ✳MT✳Runout B, stamped [etched "XX", "X 9518-A²", "✳MT✳"], variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Europe | Wea 249 428-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | WEA 249518-7 / WEA 249 518-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | WEA 249 428-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | WEA YZ12First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | WEA YZ 83First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Ireland | WEA X 9518 / WEA 249518-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | WEA X 9518 / WEA 249518-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | WEA X9518 / WEA X 9518First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Wea 248 925-77", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Africa | WEA WIS 6087", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
10 vinyl pressings of Love Theme From The Thorn Birds are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Ireland, Europe, France and more. One of them is WEA X 9518, released January 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use X 9518, X9518, YZ12, YZ 83) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, X 9518 A-1-1-3-5 and X 9518 B-1-1-1->3. 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.
