Vinyl pressings
by Level 42 · 1982
The Early Tapes · July/Aug 1980 was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 4 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.
POLS 1064 A//1▽420 G 1 1 4Side 1 runout - variant 1
POLS 1064 B//1▽420 H 11 5Side 2 runout - variant 1
POLS 1064 A//1▽420 G 11 1 TOWNHOUSESide 1 runout - variant 2
POLS 1064 B//S▽420H 11 10 TOWNHOUSESide 2 runout - variant 2
POLS 1064 A//1▽420 GSide 1
POLS 1064 B//1▽420 HSide 2
2383 637 S 1 3 2 0 1 FRunout side A, variant 2
2383 637 S 2 3 2 0 1 ERunout side B, variant 2
2383 637 S 1 320 1 ARunout side A, variant 3
2383 637 S 2 320 1 ARunout side B, variant 3
2383 637 S1 320Runout Groove Side 1
2383 637 S2 320Runout Groove Side 2
2383 637 S1 320 1A URunout side A
2383 637 S2 320 1A TRunout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | France | Polydor 2383 637First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | Polydor 2383 637First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | Polydor 2383 637First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | Polydor 2383 637First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Polydor 2383 637First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Elite LEVLP 1LP, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor POLS 1064First yearLP, Advance, Album | LP, Advance, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | Polydor 2383 637First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Polydor 2383 637First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor POLS 1064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0244LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0244LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor SPELP 28 / Polydor 2383 637LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Polydor 2383 637LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Polydor 2383 637LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2383 637LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2383 637LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Polydor SPELP 28 / Polydor 2383 637LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
18 vinyl pressings of The Early Tapes · July/Aug 1980 are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1982 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, Germany, France, Netherlands. One of them is Polydor POLS 1064, released April 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLS 1064, 2383 637) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLS 1064 A//1▽420 G 1 1 4 and POLS 1064 B//1▽420 H 11 5. 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.
