Vinyl pressings
by Magazine · 1980
Play was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 9 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.
V-2184-A4 [lyre logo] 7 ARunout A variant 1
V-2184-B4 [lyre logo] 4 ARunout B variant 1
V-2184-A3 [lyre logo] CRunout A variant 2
V-2184-B3 [lyre logo] ARunout B variant 2
V-2184-A3 [lyre logo] 2Runout Side A
V 2184 B-1U-1-1 3Runout Side B
V2184 ALabel A
V2184 BLabel B
MX194228 V2184-1Side A runout, stamped
MX194229 V2184-2Side B runout, stamped
MX194228Side A label
MX194229Side B label
VM-2210-A SnB Al DM-2Side A runout, variant 1
VM-2210-B SnB Al DM-2Side B runout variant 1
VM-2210-A SnB Al DM-4Side A runout, variant 2
VM-2210-B SnB Al DM-3Side B runout variant 2
203135 A-1 / 80SRunout side A
203135 B-2 / 80SRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Virgin V 2184 / Virgin V.2184First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Virgin VM 2210First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Europe | Virgin 203 135-320 / Virgin 203 135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Virgin V2184 / Virgin 203135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Virgin 203 135-270LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Germany | Virgin 203 135-320 / Virgin 203 135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Virgin 203 135First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | Virgin 2473810 / Virgin 2473 810First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Virgin VIL 12184First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Virgin V 2184First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Virgin V2184 / Virgin V.2184First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Virgin V2184 / Virgin V.2184First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Virgin VIP-6972 / Virgin VIRG-6972LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Virgin VIP-6972 / Virgin VIRG-6972LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70015LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 117LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Play are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1980 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Australia, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Virgin V2184.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V2184, V 2184, VM 2210, 203 135-320) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V-2184-A4 [lyre logo] 7 A and V-2184-B4 [lyre logo] 4 A. 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.
