Vinyl pressings
by Skids · 1980
The Absolute Game 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.
11 pressings came out in 1980, 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.
V2174 A4 B TOWNHOUSESide A runout variant 1
V2174 B3 TOWNHOUSE ⋀Side B runout variant 1
V2174 A4 C TOWNHOUSESide A runout variant 2
V2174 B3 TOWNHOUSE DSide B runout variant 2
V 2174 A4 TOWNHOUSESide A, Variant 1
V 2174 B3 TOWNHOUSE TA1PE MBSide B, Variant 1
VDJ 33 A2Side C, Variant 1
VDJ 33 B1 HELLO GEMMASide D, Variant 1
I SMX・56859 ・W2BSide A runout
I SMX 56860 ・W2BSide B runout
SMX-56859Side A label
SMX-56860Side B label
202859 A-1/80S Made in GermanyRunout side A
202859 B-1780S Made in GermanyRunout 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 | Australia | Virgin L 37458 / Virgin L-37458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Virgin 202859First yearLP | LP |
| 1980 | Germany | Virgin 202 859 / Virgin 202 859-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Virgin VIL 12174First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Virgin VIP-6968First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Virgin VIP-6968First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Virgin 202 859-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Virgin V 2174First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Portugal | Virgin VV-33.056YFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Virgin V 2174First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Virgin V 2174 / Virgin VDJ 33First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin OVED 43LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Virgin V 2174LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
13 vinyl pressings of The Absolute Game are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1980 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is Virgin V 2174.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V 2174, L 37458, 202859, 202 859) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V2174 A4 B TOWNHOUSE and V2174 B3 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.
