Vinyl pressings
by Mike Oldfield · 1984
Tricks Of The Light was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. 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 1984, 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.
TOWNHOUSE VS 70712 A-1U-1-1-Side A Runout, variant 1
TOWNHOUSE VS 70712 B-2U-1-1-Side B Runout, variant 1
TOWNHOUSE VS 70712 A-1U-1-1-2Side A Runout, variant 2
TOWNHOUSE VS 70712 B-2U-1-1-Side B Runout, variant 2
TOWNHOUSE VS 707 A-1U-1-1-5Runout side A
TOWNHOUSE VS 707 B-2U-1-1-2Runout side B
DM 601520 A-1/84S IIRunout side A, stamped
DM 601520 B-1/84S IIRunout side B, stamped
S 601 520 ALabel side A
S 601 520 BLabel side B
VS 707 A - 1U - 1 - TOWNHOUSERun-Off Stamped Side A
VS 707 B - 1U - 1 - TOWNHOUSERun-Off Stamped Side B
MX204757Side A
MX204758Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin VS 707First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin VS 707First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Canada | Virgin VS1240First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 106 810 / Virgin 106 810-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Virgin 80 131 / Virgin 80131First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | France | Virgin 90 210 / Virgin 90210First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Italy | Virgin VIN 45130First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Italy | Virgin VINX 77First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | South Africa | Virgin VS 591First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Spain | Virgin F-601.520 / Virgin F 601 520First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Spain | Virgin A-106813 / Virgin A-106.813First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 601 520 / Virgin 601 520-213First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Ireland | Virgin VS 707First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin VS 707-12First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin VS 707First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
15 vinyl pressings of Tricks Of The Light are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Europe, Ireland, Australia and more. One of them is Virgin VS 707-12, released September 1, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 707-12, VS 707, 601 520, VS1240) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TOWNHOUSE VS 70712 A-1U-1-1- and TOWNHOUSE VS 70712 B-2U-1-1-. 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.
