Vinyl pressings
by Mike Oldfield · 1975
In Dulci Jubilo / On Horseback was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. 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 1975, 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.
VS 131 A3 H D A HTM.Runout side A, stamped / etched variant 1
VS 131 B5 P O HTM.Runout side AA, stamped / etched variant 1
VS 131 A3 HTM AT ARunout side A, stamped / etched variant 2
VS 131 B5 HTM A AARunout side AA, stamped / etched variant 2
VS 131 A3 B HTM 2Runout area side A
VS 131 B5 B HTM 2Runout area side AA
VS.131-ALabel side A
VS.131-BLabel side AA
SMX 48413 2ASide A Etched
SMX 48414 2ASide B Etched
17 16655-A // HL 27811-1-YRunout etched side A
17 16655-B // HL 27812-1-YRunout etched side B
16 655-ALabel side A
16 655-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Virgin K-6214First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Ireland | Virgin VS 131First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1975 | Ireland | Virgin VS 131First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Virgin 16 655 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 131First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1975 | South Africa | Virgin PD.1208First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Spain | Virgin 16 565-AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Turkey | 1 Numara A.K. 71First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | UK | Virgin VS 131First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | Virgin VS 131First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Virgin VS 1317", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1975 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB S 53914 / Virgin VS 131First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | France | Virgin 640 0797", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Virgin 16 655 AT7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Greece | Virgin 2J 006 975507", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of In Dulci Jubilo / On Horseback are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1975 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, Australia, Ireland, Netherlands and more. One of them is Virgin VS 131.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 131, K-6214, 16 655 AT, PD.1208) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 131 A3 H D A HTM. and VS 131 B5 P O HTM.. 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.
