Vinyl pressings
by Peter Hammill · 1981
Sitting Targets 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.
10 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
V-2205-A1 ARUNRunout Etched Side A, variant 1
V-2205-B1 ARUNRunout Etched Side B, variant 1
V-2205-A1 ARUN Λ 5Runout Etched Side A, variant 2
V-2205-B1 ARUN Λ 1Runout Etched Side B, variant 2
PVC 8902-A HUB STERLINGSide 1 Runout
PVC 8902-B HUB STERLINGSide 2 Runout
RIO-1020-A K.E.F. TLC.T. CRSide A runout
RIO-1020-B K.E.F. TLC.T. CRSide B runout
003 6302130 1 380 POLYGRAMSide 1: stamped
003 6302130 2 380 POLYGRAMSide 2: stamped
10 AA6302130 1Y 320 A 1Runout side A, variant 1
10 AA6302130 2Y 320 A 1Runout side B, variant 1
10 AA6302130 1Y 320 3 1ARunout side A, variant 2
10 AA6302130 2Y 320 2 1Runout side B, variant 2
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 | Canada | Rio Records RIO 1020 / Passport Records PVC 8902First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Mercury 6302 130First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Germany | Mercury 6302 130First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Mercury 6302 130First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | Mercury 6302 130First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | Mercury 6302 130First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Mercury 6302 130First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | Mercury 63 02 130 / Mercury 6302 130First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | PVC Records PVC 8902First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin V 2205First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | Virgin OVED 139LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Mercury 6302 130LP | LP |
| ? | Spain | Mercury 63 02 130LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 139LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 139LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | PVC Records PVC 8902LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
16 vinyl pressings of Sitting Targets are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1981 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Canada, France and more. One of them is Virgin V 2205, released June 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V 2205, PVC 8902, RIO 1020, 6302 130) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V-2205-A1 ARUN and V-2205-B1 ARUN. 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.
