Vinyl pressings
by Peter Hammill · 1984
The Love Songs 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.
8 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 7 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.
CAS 1166 A-2U-1-1-[?]Side 1, stamped, variant 1
CAS 1166 B-1U-1-1-CSide 2, stamped, variant 1
CAS 1166 A-1U-1- 1‧‧1Side 1, stamped, variant 2
CAS 1166 B-1U-1- 1..1Side 2, stamped, variant 2
822 449 - 1 1Y 3 20Side A
822 449 - 1 2Y = 2 320Side B
MER 822449 A MT410 2004Runout side 1
MER 822449 B MT410 2004Runout side 2
CAS 1166 1side A
CAS 1166 2side B
822 449 1 1Y 1 ℗1984 670 04 1 1 8Side A, stamped
822 449 1 2Y 2 ℗1984 670 1 1 8 04Side B, stamped
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 | Germany | Mercury 822 449-1QFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | Mercury 822 449-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | Mercury 822 449-1LP, Album, Promo, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing, Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing, Promo |
| 1984 | Israel | Mercury 822 449-1 / Phonokol 822 449-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | Charisma CAS 1166 / Virgin CAS 1166First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 822 449-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 822 449-1QFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Portugal | PolyGram 822 449-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | Charisma CAS 1166First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Charisma CHC 69 / Virgin CAS 1166LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of The Love Songs are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Germany, Greece, Israel and more. One of them is Charisma CAS 1166.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CAS 1166, 822 449-1Q, 822 449-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CAS 1166 A-2U-1-1-[?] and CAS 1166 B-1U-1-1-C. 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.
