Vinyl pressings
by Steve Hillage · 1976
L was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1976, 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.
V 2066 A4 ⋀Runout A-side, variant 1
V 2066 B-2 STERLING ⋀Runout B-side, variant 1
V 2066 A-2 STERLING ⋀ 5Runout A-side, variant 2
V 2066 B-2 STERLING ⋀ 7Runout B-side, variant 2
V 2066 A-1 Λ 3Side A etched
V 2066 B-2 Λ 3Side B etched
STERLINGBoth Sides stamped
V 2066-ASide A Label
V 2066 A3̶4 A (“3” crossed out)Runout side A
V 2066 B3 11 O ALRunout side B
V 2066-ASide A label
V 2066-BSide B label
V2066 A3 ALLENRunout side A
V2066 B-2 STERLINGRunout side B
V•2066•A ̷3̷ 4 5 BRunout side A Variant 1
V 2066 B-2 5 5 STERLING 1Runout side B Variant 1
V•2066•A ̷3̷ 4 BRunout side A Variant 2
V 2066 B-2 STERLING BRunout side B Variant 2
ST-A-763763- B [STERLING] (PR)Side A Runout Etched [Stamped]
ST-A-763764-B (PR)P [STERLING]Side B Runout Etched [Stamped]
ST-A-763763-PRSide A Label
ST-A-763764-PRSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Virgin L 36089First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Virgin V2066First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Virgin 2473 720LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1976 | France | Virgin 940 532First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | France | Virgin 2473 720LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1976 | France | Virgin 2473 720LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1976 | Germany | Virgin 28 023 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Greece | Virgin 2J 062-98570 / Virgin V 2066First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Italy | Virgin VIL 12066First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Virgin YX-7136-VRFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Virgin V 2066First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Spain | Virgin 28023-IFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Spain | Virgin 28.023-IFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Virgin V 2066First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | Virgin V2066 / Virgin V 2066First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | France | Virgin 2473 720LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin OVED 29LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin V 2066 / Virgin OVED 29LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Virgin 202609LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Virgin 2473 720LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Virgin 2473 720LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | Virgin V 2066LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | South Korea | Not On Label (Steve Hillage) 533LP, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | Spain | Virgin 28023-ILP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Virgin V 2066LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | Virgin V 2066 / Virgin V2066LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 29LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
39 vinyl pressings of L are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1976 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Virgin V 2066, released September 24, 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V 2066, V2066, SD 18205, L 36089) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V 2066 A4 ⋀ and V 2066 B-2 STERLING ⋀. 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.
