Vinyl pressings
by Peter Gabriel · 1980
Games Without Frontiers was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 16 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.
JONZ CB 354 A//1▽ESC 11 12Runout side A, variant 1
SOUND CLINIC CB 354 B//1▽ESC 12 ?4Runout side B, variant 1
JONZ CB 354 A//1▽ESC 11 23Runout side A, variant 2
SOUND CLINIC CB 354 B//1▽ESC 11 24Runout side B, variant 2
6 02 CRN CB354 A POLYGRAMSide A runout - variant 1
6 02 CRN CB354 B POLYGRAMSide B runout - variant 1
602 CRN CB354 A POLYGRAM A7 A JONZSide A runout - variant 2
602 CRN CB354 B POLYGRAM A7 A SOUND CLINICSide B runout - variant 2
JONZ CB 354 A//1▽ESC 12 6Side A runout, variant 1
SOUND CLINIC CB 354 B//1▽ESC 12 5Side B runout, variant 1
JONZ CB 354 A//1▽ESC 12 21Side A runout, variant 2
SOUND CLINIC CB 354 B//1▽ESC 12 13Side B runout, variant 2
JONZ CB 354 A//1▽ESC 11 6Runout side A
SOUND CLINIC CB 354 B//1▽ESC 11 5Runout side B
76063 2-55994-RE·A9-1-1 MASTERDISK RLRunout A, etched/stamped, variant 1
76063-2-55995-RE-B 9-1-1 PRCRunout B, etched, variant 1
76063 2-55994. RE.A.10 1-1 MASTERDISK RL PRCRunout A, etched/stamped, variant 2
76063-2-55995-RE-B 9-1-1 PRCRunout B, etched, variant 2
S-8666 76063 2-55994-RE · A 13 MASTERDISK RL GOLRunout Side A
S-8669 76063 2-55995-RE · B - 14 GOLRunout Side B
S-8668 76063 2-55994-RE · A · 14 MASTERDISK RL GOLRunout Side A
S-8669 76063 2-55995-RE · B - 14 GOLRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Charisma 6228 206First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Austria | Charisma 6228 206First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | Charisma CA 3601First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | Charisma DJ 34First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | France | Charisma 6173 522First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Germany | Charisma 6228 206First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Ireland | Charisma CB 354First year7" | 7" |
| 1980 | Italy | Charisma 6228 206First year7", Single, Stereo, 45 RPM | 7", Single, Stereo, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Philips 6079 492First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Portugal | Charisma 6079 492First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Charisma 6228 206First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Charisma 6228 206First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | South Africa | Charisma TOS 1256First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Spain | Charisma 60 79 492First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Charisma CB 354First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Charisma CB 3547", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
27 vinyl pressings of Games Without Frontiers are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Netherlands, Australia and more. One of them is Charisma CB 354.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CB 354, 76063, 6228 206, CA 3601) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, JONZ CB 354 A//1▽ESC 11 12 and SOUND CLINIC CB 354 B//1▽ESC 12 ?4. 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.
