Vinyl pressings
by Shadowfax · 1984
The Dreams Of Children was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 4 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.
WH 1038A-RE1-SH2 SLM △ 7731 1-4Runout - Side A variant 1
WH-1038-B-SH2 SLM △ 7731-X 1-6Runout - Side B variant 1
WH 1038A-RE1-SH2 SLM △ 7731 1-5Runout - Side A variant 2
WH-1038-B-SH1 SLM △ 7731-X 1-1Runout - Side B variant 2
WH-1038-A-SH4-Re1 SLM △ 7731 1-2 2 ℰmw 2A Side Etch var 1
WH-1038-B-SH2 SLM △7731-X 1-10 ☆ EMW ☆B Side Etch var 1
WH 1038A-RE1-SH2 SLM △ 7731 1-6 ② EMWA Side Etch var 2
WH 1038B-SH2 SLM △ 7731-X 1-6 ② EMWB Side Etch var 2
WHP-28021-AA label
WHP-28021-BB label
WH 1038A(RE-1)-INT CRSide One
WH-1038-B (1)INT CRSide Two
00 371038 1S1Side 1
NL 19-WH-SP-6-61038-1A'-3INTSide 1 (hand made)
371 038- S2=2 320Side 2
WHP-28021-A TO 1-A-2 3 〄Side A runout
WHP-28021-B TO 1-A-6 3 〄Side B runout
WHP-28021-ASide A label
WHP-28021-BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | Windham Hill Records WH-9-1038First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Windham Hill Records 371.038-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Windham Hill Records WH-1038LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | US | Windham Hill Records WH-1038LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | US | Windham Hill Records WH-1038First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Windham Hill Records WH-1038First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | Windham Hill Records WHP-28021First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | Windham Hill Records WHP-28021First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | UK & Europe | Windham Hill Records AMWH 61038 / A&M Records WH 1038LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Teldec 6.25994 / Teldec 6.25994 APLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | Windham Hill Records 371.038-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of The Dreams Of Children are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1984 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Japan, Canada, Germany. One of them is Windham Hill Records WH-1038, released October 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WH-1038, WHP-28021, WH-9-1038, 371.038-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WH 1038A-RE1-SH2 SLM △ 7731 1-4 and WH-1038-B-SH2 SLM △ 7731-X 1-6. 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.
