Vinyl pressings
by Lloyd Cole & The Commotions · 1984
Rattlesnakes 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.
23 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 12 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.
LDLP 1 A//2▽ 420 TownhouseRunout area side A - variant 1
LDLP 1 B//2▽ 420 TownhouseRunout area side B - variant 1
LCLP 1 A // 2▽ 420 H TownhouseRunout area side A - variant 2
LCLP 1 B // 2▽ 420 H TownhouseRunout area side B - variant 2
LCLP1 A//1▽ 420 H 1 4 5 TOWNHOUSEA-side runout, variant 1
LCLP 1B//1▽ 420 H 1 5 1 U TOWNHOUSEB-side runout, variant 1
LCLP1 A//1▽420 H 11 13 TOWNHOUSEA-side runout, variant 2
LCLP 1B//1▽420 H 11 15 TOWNHOUSEB-side runout, variant 2
LCLP 1 A // 1 ▽ 420 H 11 1 TOWNHOUSESide A runout, stamped / etched
LCLP 1 B // 2 ▽ 420 H 11 1 TOWNHOUSESide B runout, stamped / etched
(Side A [Etched]): GHS-2 4064-A-SR2 1-1
(Side B [Etched]: GHS-2 4064-B-SR2 1-1
(Both Sides [Stamped]): STERLING SRC [Logo]
GHS-2 4064-A-SR2Side A [Etched]
GHS-2 4064-B-SR2Side B [Etched]
STERLING SRC [Logo]Both Sides [Stamped]
(Side B (Variant1) [Etched]): GHS-2 4064-B-SR1
GHS-24064-A-SH2 B-20604-SH2 SLM △ 8698 1-1Side A Runout - Etched
GHS-24064-B-SH2 B-20605-SH2 SLM △ 8698-X 1-1Side B Runout - Etched
STERLING, ALLIED logoSide A/B Runout - Stamped
GHS-24064-A-SH1 B-20605-SH1 SLM △ 8698- 1-Side A Runout - Etched variant 2
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 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 24064 / Polydor XGHS 24064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | Polydor 823 683-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | Polydor 823 683-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | Polydor 823 683-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Polydor 823 683-1 / Polydor 823 683-1 YFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | Polydor 837 736-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | Polydor 837 736-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1984 | Greece | Polydor 823683-1 / Polydor LCLP 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Ireland | Polydor LCLP 1 / Polydor 823 683-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | Polydor LCLP 1 / Polydor 823 683-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | Polydor LCLP 1 / Polydor 823 683-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Polydor 823 683-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Polydor 823 683-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Polydor 823 683-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Polydor 823 683-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP 1586 / Polydor MOVLP 1586LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Polydor UMCLP021 / UMC UMCLP021LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2023 | Europe | Polydor UMCLP021 / UMC UMCLP021LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2024 | UK & Ireland | Polydor UMCLP096LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
33 vinyl pressings of Rattlesnakes are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1984 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Australasia, Canada and more. One of them is Polydor LCLP 1, released October 12, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LCLP 1, GHS 24064, 823 683-1, XGHS 24064) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LDLP 1 A//2▽ 420 Townhouse and LDLP 1 B//2▽ 420 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.
