Vinyl pressings
by Positive Noise · 1981
Heart Of Darkness 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.
7 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 4 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.
STAT - 1 - A2 PLEASURE OF THE TEXT. BilBo TA1PE LYN-9518-ITO A0Runout side A variant 1
STAT - 1 - B1 WEEKEND IN AFRICA BilBo TA1PE LYN-9517-ITO A0Runout side B variant 1
STAT - 1 - A2 PLEASURE OF THE TEXT. BilBo TA1PE LYN-9518-ITO A0 STAT-1-A-2Runout side A variant 2
STAT - 1 - B1 WEEKEND IN AFRICA BilBo TA1PE LYN-9517-ITO A0 STAT-1-B1Runout side B variant 2
STAT - 1 - A2 PLEASURE OF THE TEXT. BilBo TA1PE LYN-9518-ITO A0Runout side A
STAT - 1 - B1 WEEKEND IN AFRICA BilBo TA1PE LYN-9517-ITO A0Runout side B
STAT - 5 - A I AM NOT PRINCE HAMLET. LYN 9736-ITO A0 BilBo TA1PERunout side C
statlp1aLabel side A
STAT - 1 - A2 PLEASURE OF THE TEXT. BilBo TA1PE LYN-9518-ITO A0Runout side A
STAT - 1 - B1 WEEKEND IN AFRICA BilBo TA1PE LYN-9517-ITO A0Runout side B
(Lyre Symbol) MPO STAT 8 ARunout side C
statlp1aLabel side A
STATIK 3101 A MT 410 1273Side A etch
STATIK 3101 B MT 410 1273...Side B etch
STAT 3101 S1Side A label
STAT 3101 S2Side B label
STAT - 1 - A1 PLEASURE OF THE TEXT. BilBo TA1PE LYN-9516-ITO A0Runout Side A
STAT - 1 - B2 WEEKEND IN AFRICA BilBo TA1PE LYN-9519-ITO A0Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Greece | Statik Records STAT 3101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | Statik Records STAT 3101First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1981 | Italy | Statik Records stat lp1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Statik Records stat lp1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Statik Records stat lp1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Statik Records stat lp1First yearLP, Album, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1981 | UK | Statik Records stat lp1 / Statik Records STAT 8First yearLP, Album, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1982 | France | Polydor 2473 947LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | TELDEC 6.24839LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Germany | Statik Records 6.24839LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | Statik Records AW-23016 / Trio Records AW-23016LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Japan | Statik Records AW-23016LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Heart Of Darkness are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Greece, Italy, New Zealand. One of them is Statik Records stat lp1, released May 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use stat lp1, STAT 3101) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STAT - 1 - A2 PLEASURE OF THE TEXT. BilBo TA1PE LYN-9518-ITO A0 and STAT - 1 - B1 WEEKEND IN AFRICA BilBo TA1PE LYN-9517-ITO A0. 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.
