Vinyl pressings
by Mike Oldfield · 1982
Family Man 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.
18 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 11 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.
VS - 489 - A1 ƱTOPIA ASide A runout, variant 1
VS- 489 - B1 ƱTOPIA ⃝Side B runout, variant 1
VS 489 A4 ASide A runout, variant 2
VS 489 B1 ƱTOPIA CSide B runout, variant 2
VSY-489-A5 ORLAKE TOWN HOUSESide A
VSY-489-B5 ORLAKE TOWN HOUSESide B
ZSS 170076On label, side A
ZSS 170077On label, side B
ZSS 170076-1BOn label, side A
ZSS 170077-1BOn label, side B
ZSS 170076-1DA runout
ZSS 170104-1CB runout
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(AS) US1141-A-4 3:16 SNB230Runout side A
US1141 B-3 5:35 SNB230 DM-32Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Virgin VS 489First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | Canada | Virgin VS 1141First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | France | Virgin 104 703 / Virgin 104703First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | Ireland | Virgin VS 489First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Mexico | Virgin S-723First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Mexico | Virgin S-723First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 489First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | Virgin VS-489First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | South Africa | Virgin VS 504First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Spain | Virgin B-103.793 / Virgin B-103 793First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | Virgin B-103.793First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Spain | Virgin B-103 793 / Virgin B-103.793First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | Virgin B-103 793 / Virgin B-103.793First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | Virgin B-103793 / Virgin B-103.7937", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Virgin VS489First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of Family Man are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Canada, France and more. One of them is Virgin VS489.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS489, VSY 489, 14-02877, VS 1141) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS - 489 - A1 ƱTOPIA A and VS- 489 - B1 ƱTOPIA ⃝. 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.
