Vinyl pressings
by Mark Isham · 1983
Vapor Drawings was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
WH-1027-A1 - 1156-A1 Au♂A side runout
WH-1027-B1 - 1156-B1 Au♂B side runout
WH-1027AA side label
WH-1027BB side label
WH-1027-A SH4 SLM "triangle sign" 8341 1-1 4 Emw 4Side One
WH-1027-B ES1 Emw 1-EMW-1Side Two
WH-1027-A1 RT1.. 17932(3)A-Side runout etching
WH-1027-B1 RT1.. 17933(3)B-Side runout etching
WH-1027AA-Side label
WH-1027BB-Side label
A [Sign] C-66, 23 267-01-1 A-B-IRunout side A, variant 1
A C-66, 23 267-01-2 A-B-IRunout side B, variant 1
A ᴑ C-66,23287-01-1 A-B-IRunout side A, variant 2
A C-66,23287-01-2 A-B-IRunout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia & New Zealand | Windham Hill Records L43003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Windham Hill Records WH-91027First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1983 | Germany | Windham Hill Records 6.26164 AP / Windham Hill Records 6.26164First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Windham Hill Records 371027-1 / A&M Records 371027-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Windham Hill Records TA-C-1027First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Windham Hill Records WHP-28014First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Japan | Windham Hill Records WHP-28014First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Windham Hill Records WH-1027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Windham Hill Records WH-1027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Windham Hill Records WH-1027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Windham Hill Records WH-1027LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | Windham Hill Records C28Y5013LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1986 | Japan | Windham Hill Records C28Y5013LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1987 | Brazil | Windham Hill Records 371 027-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | South Korea | Windham Hill Records WH-1027LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of Vapor Drawings are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1983 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Australia & New Zealand, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Windham Hill Records WH-1027.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WH-1027, L43003, WH-91027, 6.26164 AP) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WH-1027-A1 - 1156-A1 Au♂ and WH-1027-B1 - 1156-B1 Au♂. 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.
