Vinyl pressings
by Sparks · 1979
Tryouts For The Human Race was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 2 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.
VS 289 A1 Ʊ ΛSide A etched, stamped variant 1
VS 289 B1 c j Ʊ ΛSide B etched, stamped variant 1
VS 289 A113 Ʊ ΛSide A etched, stamped variant 2
VS 289 B1 4 Ʊ ΛSide B etched, stamped variant 2
VS+28912+A₃ OR [harp symbol]Runout side A
VS+28912+B₂ [harp symbol] ORRunout side B
VS+28912+A3 OR [Utopia lyre symbol]Runout side A
VS+28912+B2 [Utopia lyre symbol] ORRunout side B
VS28912 ASide A label
VS28912 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 289 / Virgin VS289First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS28912First year12", 45 RPM, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS28912First year12", 45 RPM, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS28912First year12", Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 12", Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS28912First year12", 45 RPM, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS28912First year12", Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 12", Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS28912First year12", 45 RPM, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS28912First year12", 45 RPM, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | US | Elektra AS-11412-AFirst year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Elektra E-46045First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Elektra E-46045First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | US | Elektra E-46045First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | US | Elektra E-46045First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | US | Elektra ES460457", Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 7", Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
14 vinyl pressings of Tryouts For The Human Race are listed here, from 2 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US. One of them is Virgin VS 289.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 289, VS28912, E-46045, AS-11412-A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 289 A1 Ʊ Λ and VS 289 B1 c j Ʊ Λ. 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.
