Vinyl pressings
by Ruts DC · 1981
Animal Now 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.
11 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 9 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-2193-A1 TOWNHOUSE BEWARE.... 7 ΛRunout side A
V2193 B2 TOWN HOUSE 2 ...THE CURSE OF ODIN ΛRunout side B
V2193 ALabel side A
V2193 BLabel side B
V2193 A2 TOWN HOUSE BEWARE.....Side A
V2193 B2 TOWN HOUSE ....THE CURSE OF ODINSide B
MX194892-B V2193-1Side A
MX194893-B V2193-2Side B
[AGI logo] 814 203705 ARunout side A
[AGI logo] 814 203705 BRunout side B
203705 A-1 /81 SII Made in GermanyRunout side A, stamped
203705 B-1 /81 SII Made in GermanyRunout side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin V2193First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin V2193First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | France | Virgin 203705First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Virgin 203 705 / Virgin 203 705-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | Virgin 2473766LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Greece | Virgin 2473 760 / Virgin V2193First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | Virgin VIL 12193First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Virgin 203 705-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Virgin V2193First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | Virgin VIR(L) 3034 / Virgin VIR (L) 3034First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin V2193First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1981 | France | Virgin 203705LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin V2193First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Animal Now are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is Virgin V2193, released May 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V2193, 203705, 203 705, 2473 760) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V-2193-A1 TOWNHOUSE BEWARE.... 7 Λ and V2193 B2 TOWN HOUSE 2 ...THE CURSE OF ODIN Λ. 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.
