Vinyl pressings
by Lene Lovich · 1980
Angels 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.
12 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 8 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.
BUY-63 A 2 READIE EDDIERunout (Etched) Side A - Variant 1
BUY-63 B 1 RIDE ONRunout (Etched) Side B - Variant 1
READIE EDDIE BUY-63 A 1 SA.Runout (Etched) Side A - Variant 2
RIDE ON BUY-63-B-2 STEVERunout (Etched) Side B - Variant 2
BUY-IT63-A2 STEVESide A, variant 1
BUY-IT63-B1Side B, variant 1
> BUY-IT-63-A1 5 STEVE .Side A, variant 2
> BUY-IT-63-B2 SA.Side B, variant 2
BUY-63.A-↾ SA. READIE EDDIERun-out side A, stamped, tag etched, variant 1
BUY-63.B-↾ STEVES ( ) RIDE ONRun-out side B, stamped, tag etched, variant 1
BUY-63.A-2 [reversed] SA. READIE EDDIERun-out side A, stamped, tag etched, variant 2
BUY-63.B-2 [reversed] STEVE RIDE ONRun-out side B, stamped, tag etched, variant 2
MX-55859 (BUY-63)A side label
MX-55860 (BUY-63)B side label
640.184-A/1 ARunout side A, variant 1
640.184-B/1 ARunout side B, variant 1
640.184-A/1 ARunout side A, variant 2
640.184-B/1 ADRunout side B, variant 2
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 | Belgium | Stiff Records 640.184First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | Japan | Stiff Records VIP-2824First year7" | 7" |
| 1980 | Japan | Stiff Records VIP-2824First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Stiff Records BUY 63First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Stiff Records BUY 63First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Portugal | Stiff Records BUY 63First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Spain | Stiff Records MO 1926First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | Stiff Records MO 1926First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 63First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 63First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Stiff Records BUYIT 63First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Australia | Stiff Records K7797First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of Angels are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Australia, Belgium, Japan and more. One of them is Stiff Records BUY 63, released January 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUY 63, BUYIT 63, K7797, 640.184) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUY-63 A 2 READIE EDDIE and BUY-63 B 1 RIDE ON. 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.
