Vinyl pressings
by Lloyd Cole & The Commotions · 1984
Forest Fire 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.
12 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 5 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.
COLEX 2 A//1▽420 H 1 1 1 TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 1
COLEX 2 B//1▽420 H 1 1 TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 1
COLEX 2 A//1▽420 H 1 1 2 TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 2
COLEX 2 B//2▽420 H 1 1 2 TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 2
COLE 2 A⁴ TOWNHOUSE MPOSide A
COLE 2 B⁴ TOWNHOUSE MPOSide B
COLE 2 A4 MPO TOWNHOUSESide A
COLE 2 B4 MPO TOWNHOUSESide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Polydor 881 196-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | France | Polydor 881 196-1First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | France | Polydor 881 196-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Polydor 881 196-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Ireland | Polydor COLE 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Polydor 881 196-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | UK | Polydor COLEX 2 / Polydor 881 196-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Polydor COLE G 2 / Polydor COLE 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Polydor COLEX 2-DJFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Polydor COLE G 2 / Polydor COLE 2First year7", 45 RPM, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided | 7", 45 RPM, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided |
| 1984 | UK | Polydor COLE 2 / Polydor 881 196-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | Polydor 881 196-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Polydor 881 196-77", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Spain | Polydor 881 196-77", Single | 7", Single |
| 1988 | France | Polydor 881 196-7 / Philips 881 196-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of Forest Fire are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1984 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Australia, France, Ireland and more. One of them is Polydor COLEX 2.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use COLEX 2, COLE G 2, COLE 2, COLEX 2-DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, COLEX 2 A//1▽420 H 1 1 1 TOWNHOUSE and COLEX 2 B//1▽420 H 1 1 TOWNHOUSE. 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.
