Vinyl pressings
by Rick Wakeman · 1981
1984 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.
27 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 22 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.
CDS 4022 A // 1 ETH TOWNHOUSE 11 ISide A, runout, stamped
CDS 4022 B//1ETH 11 I TOWNHOUSESide B, runout, stamped
CDS 4022 A*Side A, label
CDS 4022 B*Side B, label
CDS 4022 A #1vETH TOWNHOUSE 1 1 2Side A, runout, stamped
CDS 4022 B #1vETH TOWNHOUSE 1 1 1Side B, runout, stamped
CHARISMA-6302136-A-ST- 31-8-81 Jaime-L1Side A, runout, etched
CHARISMA-6302136-B-ST- 31-8-81 Jaime-L1Side B, runout, etched
6014-ARunout side A
6014-BRunout side B
6302136-ALabel side A
6302136-BLabel side B
6302-136-A FH 5/6Side A runout groove hand-etched
6302-136-B - FH - 5/6Side B runout groove hand-etched
6302 136 1Side A label
6302 136 2Side B label
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 | Argentina | Charisma 6302136 / Charisma 6014First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Australasia | Charisma 6302 136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australasia | Charisma 6302 136LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Australasia | Charisma 6302 136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Austria | Charisma 6302 136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | Charisma 6302 136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Charisma CA-1-2217First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Colombia | Charisma 6302 136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Charisma 6302 136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Charisma 6302 136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | Charisma 6302 136 / Polygram 6302 136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Ireland | Charisma CDS 4022First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Israel | Charisma STAR 5201 / Charisma 6302 136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Charisma 6302 136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Charisma 25S-41 / Polystar 25S-41First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
29 vinyl pressings of 1984 are listed here, from 23 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Guatemala, Argentina, Australasia and more. One of them is Charisma CDS 4022, released June 19, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CDS 4022, 6302 136, 6302136, CA-1-2217) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CDS 4022 A // 1 ETH TOWNHOUSE 11 I and CDS 4022 B//1ETH 11 I TOWNHOUSE. 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.
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