Vinyl pressings
by Level 42 · 1981
Love Games was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. 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 1981, 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.
POSPX 234 A1 TOWN HOUSESide A runout groove, etched
POSPX 234 B1 TOWN HOUSESide B runout groove, etched
TOWN HOUSESide A & B Runout groove, stamped
DAMONTSide A & B Runout groove, etched
POSP 234 A // 1 ▽ E T 1 1 4Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 1
POSP 234 B // 1 ▽ E T 1 1 1Runout, B-side, stamped, variant 1
POSP 234 A // 1 ▽ E T 1 1 9Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 2
POSP 234 B // 1 ▽ E T 1 2 2Runout, B-side, stamped, variant 2
POSPX 234 A // 1 ∇ 420 WA-side runout, stamped
POSPX 234 B // 1 ∇ 420 WB-side runout, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Polydor 2059 336First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Belgium | Polydor 2059 336First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2059 336First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 234 / Polydor 2059 336First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2141 335First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2059 336First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | Polydor 20 59 336First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSPX 234 / Polydor POSP X 234First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSPX 234First year12", Advance | 12", Advance |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 234 / Polydor 2059 336First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSPX 234 / Polydor POSP X 234First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSPX 234 / Polydor 2141 335First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Not On Label LYN 12914Flexi-disc, 7", Single Sided, 33 ⅓ RPM · Colored vinyl | Flexi-disc, 7", Single Sided, 33 ⅓ RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | Germany | Polydor 885 895-112", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1987 | Netherlands | Polydor 2141 33512", EP, Reissue | 12", EP, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of Love Games are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1981 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, Belgium, Germany and more. One of them is Polydor POSPX 234.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSPX 234, POSP 234, 2059 336, 2141 335) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSPX 234 A1 TOWN HOUSE and POSPX 234 B1 TOWN HOUSE. 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.
