Vinyl pressings
by Mike Oldfield · 1976
Portsmouth was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 12 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·163·A1 ΛRunout side A, variant 1
VS·163·B1 ΛRunout side B, variant 1
VS 163·A1 Λ 2 3Runout side A, variant 2
VS 163·B1 1 FRunout side B, variant 2
VS 163-A1 C VSide A
VS 163-B1 D 2Side B
VS-163-A2Runout, side A, stamped, variant 1
VS-163-B2 ⋀Runout, side B, stamped, variant 1
VS 163 A-1 ⋀Runout, side A, stamped, variant 2
VS-163-B2 ⋀Runout, side B, stamped, variant 2
VS 163A-4♢MB HOVIS - πSide A, etched
VS 163B-3♢MBSide B, etched
VS-163A-40MBRunout, side A, stamped
VS-163B-40MBRunout, side B, stamped
VS 163 A1 DRunout side A
VS 163 B1 10 FRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Virgin K-6582 / Virgin VS 163First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Canada | Virgin ZS8 9510First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Germany | Virgin 17 422 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Ireland | Virgin VS. 163First year7", Misprint | 7", Misprint |
| 1976 | Italy | Virgin VIN 45008First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Virgin 17 422 ATFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | Rhodesia | Gallo PD 1326First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Spain | Virgin 17.422 AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | Virgin VS 163First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | Virgin VS 163First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | Virgin VS 163First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | UK | Virgin VS 163First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | UK | Virgin VS 163First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | UK | Virgin VS 1637", Repress | 7", Repress |
| 1976 | UK | Virgin VS 163First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | France | Virgin 1031347", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Virgin 2097 9147", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Virgin VS 1637", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
28 vinyl pressings of Portsmouth are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1976 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, South Africa, Australia and more. One of them is Virgin VS 163, released November 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 163, ZS8 9510, PD 1326, K-6582) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS·163·A1 Λ and VS·163·B1 Λ. 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.
