Vinyl pressings
by Richard Sanderson · 1980
Reality 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.
17 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 6 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.
BAR 222 62 06 05 A = 3 POLYGRAMEtched side A variant 1
222 620605 B1 =3 POLYGRAM DADMA M17Etched side B variant 1
222 620605 A D̷A̷ =3 POLYGRAM W DADMA 2 ΛEtched side A variant 2
222 620605 B D̷A̷ =3 POLYGRAM DADMA 2 TW ΛEtched side B variant 2
BAR 222 620605 A =3 POLYGRAMRunout side A
222 620605 B1 =3 POLYGRAM DADM 1WRunout side B
BAR 222 620605 A=3 POLYGRAMStamped on runout area side A
BAR 222 620605 B1=3 POLYGRAM DADM ̷1̷ 1Stamped on runout area side B
222 620605 A D̷A̷ =3 POLYGRAM W DADM 2Runout side A - version 1
222 620605 B D̷A̷ =3 POLYGRAM DADM 2Runout side B- version 1
222 620605 A D̷A̷ =3 POLYGRAM W DADM 2 V AGIRunout Side A - version 2 stamped , "W DADM 2 V AGI " etched, "V AGI " is rotated 180⁰
AGI 222 620605 B D̷A̷ =3 POLYGRAM DADM 2 V M 1Runout Side B - version 2 stamped, " AGI DADM 2 V M1 " etched, " AGI V M1" is rotated 180⁰
BAR 222 620605 A =3 POLYGRAMRunout side A
222 620605 B1 =3 POLYGRAM DADM 1WRunout side B
BAR 222 620605 A =3 POLYGRAMRunout side A
222 620605 B1 =3 POLYGRAM DADM 1WRunout 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 | Brazil | Test Pressing TPCS-1949First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | Barclay 620 605 / Barclay 620.605First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | France | Barclay 620.605 / Barclay 620 605First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | France | Barclay 620.605 / Barclay 620 605First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | France | Barclay 620 605 / Barclay 620.605First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | France | Barclay 620.605 / Barclay 620 605First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | France | Barclay 620.605 / Barclay 620 605First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | France | Barclay 620.605 / Barclay 620 605First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | France | Barclay 620 605 / Barclay 620.605First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Italy | Delta DE JB 002First year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox |
| 1980 | Japan | Eastworld WTP-17289First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Eastworld T10-1001First year10", 45 RPM, Shape, Single · Colored vinyl | 10", 45 RPM, Shape, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | Japan | Eastworld WTP-17289First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Japan | Eastworld T10-1001First year10", 45 RPM, Shape, Single, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl | 10", 45 RPM, Shape, Single, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | Norway | Philips 6018 049First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
39 vinyl pressings of Reality are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1980 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in France, Brazil, Italy, Japan and more. One of them is Barclay 620 605.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 620 605, 620.605, TPCS-1949, DE JB 002) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BAR 222 62 06 05 A = 3 POLYGRAM and 222 620605 B1 =3 POLYGRAM DADMA M17. 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.
