Vinyl pressings
by Public Image Limited · 1987
Happy? was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 15 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 2455 A-1U-1-2- TOWNHOUSE DMMRunoff A, variant 1
V 2455 B-1U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSE DMMRunoff B, variant 1
V 2455 A-1U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSE DMMside A, variant 2
V 2455 B-1U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSE DMMside B, variant 2
ST-VR 876537-A 1-1 Precision [SRC logo]A side runout, variant 1
ST-VR 876538-A 1-1 Precision [SRC logo]B side runout, variant 1
ST-VR 876537-A 1-1 Precision [SRC logo]A side runout, variant 2
ST-VR 876538-B 1-1 Precision [SRC logo]B side runout, variant 2
ST-VR 876537-A 1-2 B-28882-A △17982 Precision 0- SP-AR SRCRunout A, etched, exc. SRC, stamped
ST-VR 876538-A 1-2 SP-AR SRC Precision B-28883-A △17982-X 0-Runout B, etched, exc. SRC, stamped
ST-VR 876537A side label
ST-VR 876538B side label
V 2455 A-1U-1-2- TOWNHOUSE DMMRunoff A, variant 1
V 2455 B-1U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSE DMMRunoff B, variant 1
V 2455 A-1U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSE DMMside A, variant 2
V 2455 B-1U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSE DMMside B, variant 2
V 2455-A 3-9-87 I PILVariant 1 - side A
V 2455-B 3-9-87 I PILVariant 1 - side B
V 2455-A 3-9-87 I ∆ PIL MJVariant 2 - Side A [Stamped, except "MJ" etched]
V 2455-B 3-9-87 I ∆ PIL MJVariant 2 - Side B [Stamped, except "MJ" etched]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | Virgin TLP-90076First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australasia | Virgin V2455First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | Virgin 140 8002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Virgin VL 2455 / Virgin VL2455First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | Virgin 208 605-630 / Virgin 208 605First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | France | Virgin 124551First yearLP | LP |
| 1987 | Greece | Virgin VG50299First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Ireland | Virgin V2455First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | Columbia YX7434First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Spain | Virgin T 208 605First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Virgin 7 90642-1 / Virgin 1-90642First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Virgin 7 90642-1 / Virgin 1-90642First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Virgin 1-90642First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton LSVIRG 73210 / Virgin V 2455First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | Columbia YX7434First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | Virgin OVED 299LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of Happy? are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1987 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Japan, Italy and more. One of them is Virgin V2455, released September 14, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V2455, 7 90642-1, 1-90642, YX7434) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V 2455 A-1U-1-2- TOWNHOUSE DMM and V 2455 B-1U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSE DMM. 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.
