Vinyl pressings
by Michael Nyman · 1982
The Draughtsman's Contract was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year. 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.
CAS 1158 A / 1 HIS BREECHES ARE HIS BEST DEFENCERunout, side A, hand-etched
A // 1 ▽ 420 C1 1 1 S̶H̶E̶E̶T̶ ̶6̶ ̶Runout, side A, stamped
CAS 1158 B / 1 A SYMMETRICAL STRATAGEMRunout, side B, hand-etched
B//1▽420 C1 1 S̶H̶E̶E̶T̶ ̶6̶ ̶Runout, side B, stamped
CAS 1158 A / 1 HIS BREECHES ARE HIS BEST DEFENCERunout, side A, hand-etched
A // 1 ▽ 420 C1 1 4 S̶H̶E̶E̶T̶ ̶6̶ ̶Runout, side A, stamped
CAS 1158 B / 1 A SYMMETRICAL STRATAGEMRunout, side B, hand-etched
B//1▽420 C1 1 4 S̶H̶E̶E̶T̶ ̶6̶ ̶Runout, side B, stamped
CAS 1158 A / 1 HIS BREECHES ARE HIS BEST DEFENCERunout, side A, hand-etched
A // 1 ▽ 420 C1 1 1 S̶H̶E̶E̶T̶ ̶6̶ ̶Runout, side A, stamped
CAS 1158 B / 1 A SYMMETRICAL STRATAGEMRunout, side B, hand-etched
B//1▽420 C1 1 S̶H̶E̶E̶T̶ ̶6̶ ̶Runout, side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | UK | Charisma CAS 1158First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | UK | Charisma CAS 1158First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | UK | Charisma CAS 1158First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | Charisma CAS 1158LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1983 | UK | Charisma CAS 1158LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | US | DRG Records SL 9513LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | Charisma 206075 / Virgin 206075LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | Charisma 70222 / Marin Karmitz 70222LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | France | Charisma 70222 / Virgin 70222LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1989 | UK | VENTURE VEBN 55 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Spain | Charisma LL-CAS1158LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of The Draughtsman's Contract are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1982 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK. One of them is Charisma CAS 1158.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CAS 1158) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CAS 1158 A / 1 HIS BREECHES ARE HIS BEST DEFENCE and A // 1 ▽ 420 C1 1 1 S̶H̶E̶E̶T̶ ̶6̶ ̶. 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.
