Vinyl pressings
by Soft Cell · 1982
Torch was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 12 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.
BZS -9-A1 STERLINGRun-out Side A - variant 1
BZS 9 B-2 DAMONTRun-out Side B - variant 1
BZS -9-A1 STERLING 1 WRun-out Side A - variant 2
BZS 9 B-2 DAMONT 1 ARun-out Side B - variant 2
BZS 912 A//8 ∇420 R 1 1 1Side A, Runout, Stamped
BZS 912 B//1 ∇420 R 1 1 3Side B, Runout, Stamped
BZS 912-BSide B, Runout, Etched
BZS 912 A // ✶5 ∇ STERLING130 DZS - 912 - A RE - 1 1 1 5Runout A stamped, etched, variant 1
BZS 912 B // 2 ∇ 4̷⃥̷⃫̷⃥̷2̷⃥̷⃫̷⃥̷0̷⃥̷⃫̷⃥̷ 130 1 1 8 STERLING DZS - 912 - BRunout B stamped, etched, variant 1
BZS 912 A // ✶5 ∇ STERLING130 DZS - 912 - A RE - 1 1 1 4Runout A stamped, etched, variant 2
BZS 912 B // 1 ∇ 4̷⃥̷⃫̷⃥̷2̷⃥̷⃫̷⃥̷0̷⃥̷⃫̷⃥̷ 130 STERLING 1 1 3 DZS - 912 - BRunout B stamped, etched, variant 2
BZS 912 A//8 ∇420 R 1 1 4A-side runout, stamped variant 1
BZS 912 B // 2 ∇ 4[xxxxx] 130 1 1 1 1 STERLINGB-side runout, stamped variant 1
DZ S - 912-BB-side runout, etched variant 1
BZS 912 A//7 ∇420 R 1 1 1A-side runout, stamped variation 2
BZS 912 A // 1 ∇ 130 STERLING 11 DZS - 912 - ARunout A stamped, etched, variant 2
BZS 912 B // 1 ∇ 4̷⃥̷⃫̷⃥̷2̷⃥̷⃫̷⃥̷0̷⃥̷⃫̷⃥̷ 130 STERLING 1 1 7 DZS - 912 - BRunout B stamped, etched, variant 2
BZS 912 A//6∇130 STERLING .1 DZS- 912- A 1 RE1Side A
BZS 912 B//2 ∇4̷⃥̷⃫̷⃥̷2̷⃥̷⃫̷⃥̷0̷⃥̷⃫̷⃥̷ 130 11 1 STERLING DZS - 912 - BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Vertigo 6059 535First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Ecuador | Vertigo 45-31006First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | France | Vertigo 6059 535First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | France | Vertigo 6400 618First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | France | Vertigo 6059 535First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Germany | Vertigo 6059 535First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Vertigo 6400 618First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Vertigo 6400 618 / Vertigo 64 00 61812", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue |
| 1982 | Greece | Vertigo 6059 535First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Greece | Vertigo 6059 535First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Japan | Vertigo 7PP-70First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | Japan | Vertigo 7PP-70First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6059 535First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6400 618First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1982 | South Africa | Vertigo TOS 1383First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | UK | Planet Clique SSM00712", White Label | 12", White Label |
34 vinyl pressings of Torch are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1982 and 2007.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, Ireland, Portugal, Australia and more. One of them is Some Bizzare BZS 9, released April 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BZS 9, BZS 912, 6059 535, 45-31006) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BZS -9-A1 STERLING and BZS 9 B-2 DAMONT. 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.
