Vinyl pressings
by Magazine · 1978
Real Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 1978, the album's first year, in 8 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 2100 A1 ΛA-side runout etched / Λ stamped, variant 1
V 2100 B1 MR BLAIRS ΛB-side runout etched / Λ stamped, variant 1
V 2100 A1 Λ 1 7A-side runout etched / Λ stamped, variant 2
V 2100 B1 MR BLAIRS Λ 1 5B-side runout etched / Λ stamped, variant 2
V 2100 A1 4 1Runout side A, variant 1
V 2100 B1 MR BLAIRS ( ) 2 0Runout side B, variant 1
V 2100 A1 4 5 ⋀Runout side A, variant 2
V 2100 B1 MR BLAIRS ( ) D 3Runout side B, variant 2
VT-2100A @t GP HUBSide A runout
VI2100B @t GP HUBSide B runout
〄Ⓑ V 2100A 1 1 1 ✢Side A runout
V 2100B 1 1 1 ✢Side B runout
V-2100-ASide A label
V-2100-BSide B label
SMX53413 ·2ADeadwax, Side A, Etched
SMX53414 ·2ADeadwax, Side B, Etched
SMX53415Label, Side A
SMX53416Label, Side B
(Stamped & Scratched) VI (Stamped) VIRG 2933748 1 380 CIDISSide A
(Stamped) VIRG 2933748 2 380 CIDISSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Virgin L 36668First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Virgin 2933 748First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Virgin 2933 748LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Virgin 26 190 XOTFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Virgin 26190 XOTFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Virgin 26190 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Virgin V2100First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Virgin V2100LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | UK | Virgin V 2100 / Virgin V2100LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Virgin V 2100First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Virgin International VI 2100First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Virgin V 2100First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Virgin VIP-6922 / Virgin VIRG-6024First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Virgin VIP-6922First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Greece | Virgin 2933 748LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | France | Virgin 70033LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin OVED 62LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin OVED 62LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin OVED 62LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Spain | ViNiLiSSSiMO MR-SSS 521LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2018 | Europe | Virgin 5782368 / UMC 5782368LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Europe | Virgin INTGDS004LP / Integral INTGDS004LPLP, Album, Reissue, Repress · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress · Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | UK | Virgin INTGDS004LP / Virgin INTGDS00032LPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Virgin V 2100LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Virgin 2933 748 / Virgin 202613LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Virgin V 2100 / Virgin 202613LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Virgin 2933 748LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Virgin 202613LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Virgin 202613LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Virgin 26 190 XOTLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Virgin 26 190 XOTLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Virgin OVED 62LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 62LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 62LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 62LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
40 vinyl pressings of Real Life are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1978 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Virgin V 2100, released June 9, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V 2100, VI 2100, VIP-6922, L 36668) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V 2100 A1 Λ and V 2100 B1 MR BLAIRS Λ. 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.
