Vinyl pressings
by Leonard Cohen · 1984
Various Positions 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.
13 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 10 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.
01-26222-2A-1 ASide A runout variant 1
MASTERDISK BK 01-26222-1B-1 A LEONARD COHEN BSide B runout variant 1
01-26222-2A-1 MASTERDISK BK C LEONARD COHEN · ASide A runout variant 2
01-26222-1B-1 A MASTERDISK BK LEONARD COHEN · BSide B runout variant 2
0I-26222-IA-I MASTERDISK A LEONARD COHEN A BKSide A runout, variant 1
MASTERDISK 0I-26222-IB-I A LEONARD COHEN B BKSide B runout, variant 1
0I-26222-IA-I MASTERDISK BK D LEONARD COHEN ASide A runout, variant 2
0I-26222-IB-I MASTERDISK BK C LEONARD COHEN BSide B runout, variant 2
01-26222-2A-1 ASide A runout, Variant 1
MASTERDISK BK D LEONARD COHEN B 01-26222-1B-1Side B runout, Variant 1
LEONARD COHEN A 01-26222-1A-1 MASTERDISK BK BSide A runout, Variant 2
LEONARD COHEN B 01-26222-1B-1 MASTERDISK BK BSide B runout, Variant 2
CBS 26222 A1Side A runout
CBS 26222 B1Side B runout
CBS 26222 ASide A label
CBS 26222 BSide B label
CBS-26223-A1Side 1
CBS-26223-B1Side 2
MX215207 SBP 8043-1 ASide 1 Runout - Handwritten
MX215208 SBP 8043-2 ASide 2 Runout - Handwritten
SBP 8043 MX215207Side 1 Label
SBP 8043 MX215208Side 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | CBS SBP 8043First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS CBS 26222First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS CBS 26222First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS CBS 26222 / CBS 26222First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | CBS 26222 / CBS CBS 26222First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Ireland | Columbia CBS 26222First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Israel | CBS CBS 26222First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 8043 / CBS SBP 238043First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Portugal | CBS 26222 / CBS CBS 26222First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | South Africa | CBS ASF 3045First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Taiwan | Columbia CBR 8405 / Himalaya Records CBR 8405First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | CBS CBS 26222First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | CBS CBS 26222First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Passport Records PB 6045 / CBS PB 6045LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Australia | CBS SBP 8043LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | South Korea | Sony CPL-1240 / Sony 465569-2LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Unknown | 4 Men With Beards 4M 814LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2011 | US | 4 Men With Beards 4M 814LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2012 | Unknown | Music On Vinyl MOVLP504LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2012 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP504 / Columbia MOVLP504LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2016 | US | Not On LabelLP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2017 | Europe | Sony Music 88985435311 / Legacy 88985435311LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 2017 | Europe | Sony Music 88985435311 / Legacy 88985435311LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia PCC 90728LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS 465569 1 / CBS CBS 26222LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 26222LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Europe | Columbia COL 465569 1 / Columbia 465569 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS 465569 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | CBS CBS 26222LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Greece | CBS CBS 26222 / Columbia CBS 26222LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Netherlands | Columbia CBS 26222LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | CBS 4655691LP, Album | LP, Album |
44 vinyl pressings of Various Positions are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1984 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Europe, UK, Australia, Greece and more. One of them is CBS CBS 26222.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CBS 26222, SBP 8043, 26222, ASF 3045) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 01-26222-2A-1 A and MASTERDISK BK 01-26222-1B-1 A LEONARD COHEN B. 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.
