Vinyl pressings
by Midge Ure · 1983
After A Fashion 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.
15 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
FESTX 1 A // 1 ∇420 U 11 5 UTOPIARunout, side A. variation 1
FESTX 1 B // 1 ∇420 U 11 3 UTOPIARunout, side B. variation 1
FESTX 1 A // 1 ∇420 U 11 4 UTOPIARunout, side A. variation 2
FESTX 1 B // 1 ∇420 U 11 4 UTOPIARunout, side B. variation 2
FEST 1 A // 1∇420 U 11 5 UTOPIARunout Side A, Variant 1
FEST 1 B // 2∇420 U 11 5Runout Side B, Variant 1
FEST 1 A // 2∇420 U 11 5 UTOPIARunout Side A, Variant 2 [UTOPIA is etched & upside down to stamped Matrix No]
FEST 1 B // 2∇420 U 11 5Runout Side B, Variant 2
FEST 1 A // 2∇420 U UTOPIA 11 1Runout Side A
FEST 1 B // 2∇420 U 11 3Runout Side B
FESTX 1 A-1 UTOPIA DAMONTSide A
FESTX 1 B-1 UTOPIA DAMONTSide B
FESTX 1 A-1 UTOPIA DAMONTRunout Side A
FESTX 1 B-1 UTOPIA DAMONTRunout Side B
105593 A-1/83S IRunout Side A [machine-stamped]
105593 B-1/83S IRunout Side B [machine-stamped]
S 105 593 ALabel Side A
S 105 593 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Chrysalis FEST 1 / Festival Records K-9164First year7", Single, Limited Edition, 45 RPM · Limited | 7", Single, Limited Edition, 45 RPM · Limited |
| 1983 | Europe | Virgin 105 593-100 / Musicfest 105 593First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | Chrysalis FEST 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Japan | Chrysalis WWS-27006 / Musicfest WWS-27006First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Chrysalis WWS-27006 / Musicfest WWS-27006First year12", Single, Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Single, Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Chrysalis K 9164First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Chrysalis FESTX 1First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | Chrysalis FESTX 1First year12", Single, White Label | 12", Single, White Label |
| 1983 | Europe | Virgin 105 593 / Virgin 105 593-100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | France | Virgin 105 593 / Virgin 105 593-100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Germany | Virgin 600 932 / Virgin 600 932-213First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Spain | Chrysalis CHSC-2713First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Chrysalis FEST X1 / Musicfest FESTX 1First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Chrysalis FEST 1 / Chrysalis Fest 1First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Chrysalis FEST 1 / Chrysalis Fest 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
15 vinyl pressings of After A Fashion are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, Europe, France, Germany and more. One of them is Chrysalis FEST X1, released July 8, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FEST X1, FEST 1, FESTX 1, 105 593) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FESTX 1 A // 1 ∇420 U 11 5 UTOPIA and FESTX 1 B // 1 ∇420 U 11 3 UTOPIA. 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.
