Vinyl pressings
by Logic System · 1981
Venus 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.
5 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
ETP-90139-A 1S 4 〄 ZZAStamped in runout, Side A
ETP-90139-B 1S 9 〄Stamped in runout, Side B
ETP-90139-APrinted on label, Side A
ETP-90139-BPrinted on label, Side B
83263 A-1Side A
83263-B1Side B
83263-H-1Side A etched
83263-B1Side B 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 | Europe | EMI 1A 064-83263First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | EMI 064-83263First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | India | EMI ETP-90139 / EMI ETP. 90139First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Japan | Express ETP-90139First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Express ETP-90139First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | UK | EMI EMC 3403 / EMI 0C 062-83 263LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | UK | EMI EMC 3403LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Wewantsounds WWSLP35LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | France | Wewantsounds WWSLP35LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | Europe | Wewantsounds WWSLP35LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2023 | Japan | Universal Music UPJY-9356LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
11 vinyl pressings of Venus are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1981 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Japan, Europe, Germany, India. One of them is Express ETP-90139.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ETP-90139, 1A 064-83263, 064-83263) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ETP-90139-A 1S 4 〄 ZZA and ETP-90139-B 1S 9 〄. 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.
