Vinyl pressings
by Level 42 · 1986
Lessons In Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
41 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 20 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.
POSPX 790 A // 1 ∇ 420 H 1 2 1Runout, A-side, stamped Variant 1
TOWNHOUSE KEVRunout, A-side, etched Variant 1 & 2
POSPX 790 A // 1 ∇ 420 H 1 2 1 5Runout, B-side, stamped Variant 1
POSPX 790 A // 1 ∇ 420 H 1 1 1Runout, A-side, stamped Variant 2
POSPX 790 A//1 △ 420 H TOWNHOUSE KEVRunout side A
POSPX 790 B//1 △ 420 HRunout side B
POSP 790 A//1∇420 H 11 4 TOWNHOUSE KEVA-side - stamped and etched variant 1
POSP 790 B//1∇420 H 11 4B-side - stamped variant 1
POSP 790 A // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1 5 TOWNHOUSE KEVA-side - stamped and etched variant 2
POSP 790 B // 2 ▽ 420 H 1 1B-side - stamped variant 2
POSP 790 A//1∇420 H 11A-Side - Stamped
TOWNHOUSE KEVA-Side - Etched
POSP 790 B//1∇420 H 11B-Side - Stamped
POSPX 790 A // 1 ∇ 420 = 1 1 4Runout, A-side
POSPX 790 A // 1 ∇ 420 = 1 1 2Runout, B-side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australasia | Polydor 883 956-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Australasia | Polydor 883 956-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Polydor POLS 123First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Polydor DJP 217First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Canada | Polydor POLSXD 123First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | France | Polydor 883 956-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | France | Polydor 883 956-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | Polydor 883 956-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | France | Polydor 885 373-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | France | Polydor 883 956-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Germany | Polydor 883 956-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | Polydor 883 956-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | Polydor 883 956-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | Polydor 883 956-112", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | Guatemala | Polydor 883 956-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Polydor POSPA 79012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue |
55 vinyl pressings of Lessons In Love are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is Polydor POSPX 790.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSPX 790, POSP 790, POSPA 790, PRO 492-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSPX 790 A // 1 ∇ 420 H 1 2 1 and TOWNHOUSE KEV. 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.
