Vinyl pressings
by Pete Shelley · 1983
Telephone Operator was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
XX 1 A - 1U - 1 - 1 - 1 TOWN HOUSERunout A, variant 1
XX 1 B - 1U - 1 - 1 - 3 4 TOWN HOUSERunout B, variant 1
XX 1 A - 1U - 1 - 1 - 4 TOWN HOUSERunout A, variant 2
XX 1 B - 1U - 1 - 1 - 5 TOWN HOUSERunout B, variant 2
12 XX 1 A-1U-1-1 TOWN HOUSERunout side A, variant 1
12 XX 1 B-1U-1-1 TOWN HOUSERunout side B, variant 1
12 XX 1 A-1U-1-1 - 1 0 TOWN HOUSERunout side A, variant 2
12 XX 1 B-1U-1-1 - 2 TOWN HOUSERunout side B, variant 2
12 DJ XX 11 A1 GG TOWN HOUSESide A, etched and stamped
12 DJ XX 11 B1 GG TOWN HOUSESide B, etched and stamped
CP 730 SA HUB MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK AA Runout
CP 730 SB HUBB Runout
CP 730 SAA Label
CP 730 SBB Label
AS-1-9035-SA 1-1 SRC SPECSide A Runout [Hand-Etched]
AS-1-9035-SB 1-1 SRCSide B Runout [Hand-Etched]
AS1-9035-SASide A Label
AS1-9035-SBSide B Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Island Records K-9023 / Island Records XX 1First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Australia | Island Records IX 164First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista ASSX 0730First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista ASSX 0730 / Genetic Records ASSX 0730First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Europe | Genetic Records 105 169 / Island Records 105 169First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Italy | Island Records WIPX 882First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Italy | Genetic Records XX 1First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Island Records 600.768First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Island Records K-9023 / Island Records XX 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Sweden | Genetic Records XX 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Genetic Records 12XX 1 DJ / Genetic Records 12DJXXIIFirst year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Promo, White Label · Promo, Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Promo, White Label · Promo, Limited |
| 1983 | US | Arista CP 730 / Genetic Records CP 730First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Arista AD 1-9025First year12" | 12" |
| 1983 | US | Arista CP 730 / Genetic Records CP 730First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Arista CP 730 / Genetic Records CP 730First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
24 vinyl pressings of Telephone Operator are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Genetic Records XX 1, released February 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use XX 1, 12XX1, 12XX 1 DJ, AD 1-9025) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XX 1 A - 1U - 1 - 1 - 1 TOWN HOUSE and XX 1 B - 1U - 1 - 1 - 3 4 TOWN HOUSE. 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.
