Vinyl pressings
by Ryuichi Sakamoto & David Sylvian · 1983
Forbidden Colours was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 10 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.
VS 601-12 A2 POUNDA TA1PE ⋀Side A, Runout, Etched (Variant 1)
VS 601-12 B2Side B, Runout, Etched (Variant 1)
VS 601-12 A1 POUNDA TA1PESide A, Runout, Etched (Variant 2)
VS 601-12 B2Side B, Runout, Etched (Variant 2)
VS 601 A-1-1-1-1A side runout, stamped, variant 1
VS 601 B-1-1-1-X1B side runout, stamped, variant 1
VS 601 A-1-1-2-18A side runout, stamped, variant 2
VS 601 B-1-1-1-10B side runout, stamped, variant 2
VS 60112 A-1U-1-1- POUNDA TA1PESide A, runout, stamped/etched, variant 1
VS 60112 B-2U-1-1-Side B, runout, stamped, variant 1
VS 601-12 A-1U-1-1 POUNDA TA1PESide A, runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
VS 601-12 B-3U-1-0Side B, runout, stamped, variant 2
VS 60112 A-3U-1-1-Side A, runout, stamped
VS 60112 B-3U-1- S ↔ 1 7Side B, runout, stamped
VS 601 A5 TOWNHOUSESide A runout, variant 1
VS 601 B3 TOWNHOUSESide B runout, variant 1
VS 601 A6 TOWNHOUSESide A runout, variant 2
VS 601 B4 TOWNHOUSESide B runout, variant 2
SRT VSY 601A2 JB TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 1
SRT VSY 601 B2 JB. TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 1
SRT VSY 601A2 JB TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 2
SRT VSY 601 B2 JB 4 TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS 60112First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1983 | France | Virgin 105.513 / Virgin 1055137", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1983 | France | Virgin 105.513 / Virgin 105513First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | Virgin VS 601First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Italy | Virgin VINX 18First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Italy | Virgin VIN 45079First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Italy | Virgin VINX 18First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Spain | Virgin B-105.513 / Virgin B∙105 513First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Virgin VSY 601First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Stereo · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Stereo · Picture disc |
| 1983 | UK | Virgin VS601First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1983 | Japan | Virgin VIPX-16977", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1983 | Japan | Virgin VIPX-1697First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Japan | Virgin VIPX-1697 / Virgin VIRG-1697First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS 601First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS 60112First year12", Single | 12", Single |
24 vinyl pressings of Forbidden Colours are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, Japan, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Virgin VS601-12, released June 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS601-12, VS601, VSY 601, VIPX-1697) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 601-12 A2 POUNDA TA1PE ⋀ and VS 601-12 B2. 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.
