Vinyl pressings
by Sniff 'n' the Tears · 1980
The Game's Up 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.
21 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 14 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.
CWK 3014 A - 1U A SNIFF FROM BILBORunout side A, variant 1
CWK 3014 B - 2U BILBO . TA1PERunout side B, variant 1
CWK 3014 A - 1U 8 A SNIFF FROM BILBO 1Runout side A, variant 2
CWK 3014 B - 2U 4 BILBO.TA1PE 1Runout side B, variant 2
CWK 3014 B-1U 1 A SNIFF FROM BILBORunout, Side A
LPFB 2 CCRunout, Side B
CWK 3014 B-1U G BILBO-TA1PERunout, Side C
LPFB 2 MDRunout, Side D
ST-A-804483-MOA Label
ST-A-804484-MOB Label
ST-A-804483-C @tgp 0-2SM1-1Runout side A, variant 1
ST-A-804484-D @tgp 0-1SM2-1Runout side B, variant 1
ST- A- 804483- C @tGP SP 0-2 SM 1-1Runout side A, variant 2
ST-A- 804484- D SP @tGP 0-1 SM 2-1Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Atlantic XSD 19272First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Chiswick Records 2C 070 63824 / Sonopresse 2C 070 63824First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Chiswick Records 0067.071 / Metronome 0067.071First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | Chiswick Records 40 005 / Chiswick Records 40.005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | Chiswick Records 40 005LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Italy | Chiswick Records CWKL 3014First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Chiswick Records P-10868ZFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Chiswick Records P-10868ZFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Chiswick Records CWK 3014First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | EMI EMC 165First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Chiswick Records CWK-3014First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | Chiswick Records EMCJ(L) 5228First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Chiswick Records 17.2205/4 / Movieplay 17.2205/4First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | Chiswick Records 17.2205/4 / Movieplay 17.2205/4First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Spain | Orlador 58677 / Chiswick Records 17.2205/4First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of The Game's Up are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1980 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Chiswick Records CWK 3014, released June 13, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CWK 3014, SNIP 2, SD 19272, CWK-3014) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CWK 3014 A - 1U A SNIFF FROM BILBO and CWK 3014 B - 2U BILBO . TA1PE. 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.
