Vinyl pressings
by Spandau Ballet · 1981
The Freeze was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 8 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.
634 CHS 122 4 86 A1 POLYGRAM [Utopia lyre symbol] A2Side A
634 CHS 122 486 B2 POLYGRA M DM AJ [Utopia lyre symbol]Side B
CHS 122486 A // 3 ∇ EUT 1 1 1 2 ψRunout side A, variant 1, stamped, lyre symbol etched
CHS 122486 B // 3 ∇ EUT 1 1 4 ψRunout side B, variant 1, stamped, lyre symbol etched
CHS 122486 A // 3 ∇ EUT 1 1 3 ψRunout side A, variant 2, stamped, lyre symbol etched
CHS 122486 B // 3 ∇ EUT 1 1 3 ψRunout side B, variant 2, stamped, lyre symbol etched
634 CHS 2486 A3 POLYGRAM A7Stamped Runout, Side A
634 CHS 2486 B3 POLYGRAM B5Stamped Runout, Side B
D [Lyre Symbol]Hand Etched Runout, Sides A and B
CHS 2486 A// 1 ∇ E UT 1 1 4 ƱRunout stamped side A variant 1
CHS 2486 B// 1 ∇ E UT 1 1 Ʊ 2Runout stamped side B variant 1
CHS 2486 A // 1 ▽ E UT [lyre symbol]Side A runout variant 2
CHS 2486 B // 2 ▽ E UT [lyre symbol]Side B runout variant 2
CHS 2486 A-1 [Lyre symbol] DAMONTRunout Side A, etched
[Lyre symbol] CHS 2486 A-2 DAMONTRunout Side AA, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Germany | Chrysalis 102 934 / Chrysalis 102 934-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | Chrysalis CHS 2486 / Reformation CHS 2486First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Japan | Chrysalis WWS-17148First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Japan | Chrysalis WWS-17148First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 102.934First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Chrysalis K 8216First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Portugal | Chrysalis 6198 438First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Spain | Chrysalis CHS-2486 / Chrysalis CHS 2486First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Spain | Chrysalis CHS-2486 / Chrysalis CHS 2486First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | Reformation CHS 2486 / Chrysalis CHS 2486First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Reformation CHS 2486 / Chrysalis CHS 2486First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Chrysalis CHS 2486 / Reformation CHS 2486First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Reformation CHS 2486 / Chrysalis CHS 2486First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Reformation CHS 2486 / Chrysalis CHS 2486First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Reformation CHS 12 2486 / Chrysalis CHS 12 2486First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Chrysalis CHS 122 48612", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
18 vinyl pressings of The Freeze are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Germany, Ireland, Japan and more. One of them is Reformation CHS 12 2486, released January 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHS 12 2486, CHS 2486, 102 934, WWS-17148) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 634 CHS 122 4 86 A1 POLYGRAM [Utopia lyre symbol] A2 and 634 CHS 122 486 B2 POLYGRA M DM AJ [Utopia lyre symbol]. 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.
