Vinyl pressings
by Natalie Cole · 1981
Happy Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 10 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.
ST-1-12165 G-2 —◁ Ⓣ MASTERED BY CAPITOL J. LEMAYVariant 1 A side
ST-2-12165 F-6 #4 —◁ Ⓧ MASTERED BY CAPITOL J. LEMAYVariant 1 B side
ST-1-12165 G-2 #3 —◁ Ⓣ MASTERED BY CAPITOL J. LEMAYVariant 2 A side
ST-2-12165 F-6 #4 —◁ Ⓧ MASTERED BY CAPITOL J. LEMAYVariant 2 B side
ST-1-12165 G-1 #3 ⓧ MASTERED BY CAPITOL J. LEMAY 0A side runout
ST-2-12165 F-5 #2 Ⓧ MASTERED BY CAPITOL J. LEMAY 0B side runout
ST-1-12165A Side Label
ST-2-12165B Side Label
EST1 12165Label - side A
EST2 12165Label - side B
ST-1-12165A Side Label
ST-2-12165B Side Label
ST-12165-A KEY TLC-A ◎
ST-12165-B KEY TLC-A ◎
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Barbados | Capitol Records ST-12165First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C 064 400044First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-12165First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-81442First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-81442First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Capitol Records 1A 064-400044First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Portugal | Vadeca VEC5013DBFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Capitol Records ST-12165First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Capitol Records EST-12165 / Capitol Records 0C 062-400 044First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records ST-12165First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records ST-12165First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Venezuela | Capitol Records ST-50.008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Happy Love are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Barbados, Brazil and more. One of them is Capitol Records ST-12165.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-12165, EST-12165, 31C 064 400044, ECS-81442) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-12165 G-2 —◁ Ⓣ MASTERED BY CAPITOL J. LEMAY and ST-2-12165 F-6 #4 —◁ Ⓧ MASTERED BY CAPITOL J. LEMAY. 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.
