Vinyl pressings
by Steve Hillage · 1979
Live Herald 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.
17 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 9 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.
VGD·3502 · A·4 TY 10 ΛRunout side A
VGD·3502 · B-1 RAYS ARunout side B
VGD D ̶V̶D̶G̶ 3502 C·3 TY 3 CRunout side C
VGD V̶D̶G̶ -3502 D·2 RAYS 4 ARunout side D
VGD·3502 · A·4 TY C 12Runout side A
VGD·3502 · B·3 TY C 7Runout side B
VGD D V̶G̶D̶ 3502·C·3 TY DRunout side C
VGD ·V̶G̶D̶ 3502·D·4 TY CRunout side D
VGD-3502-A6 2Side A runout
VGD 3502 B-1U-1-1-1Side B runout
.VGD.3502.C-(4)5 2 A 3” ToneSide C runout
VGD 3502 D-1U-1-1-1Side D runout
·VDG·3502·A·4 TY ΛSide A runout etched, "Λ" stamped
·VDG·3502·B·2 RAYS. ΛSide B runout etched, "Λ" stamped
·VDG·3502·C·4 RAYS ΛSide C runout etched, "Λ" stamped
·VDG·3502·D· ̷2̷ 2 Λ [Lyra logo]Side D runout etched, "Λ" & Lyra logo stamped
VDG·3502·A·4 2 TY CSide A runout
VDG·3502·B·3 14 TY ASide B runout
·VDG·3502·C·4 3 RAYS ASide C runout
·VDG·3502·D· 3̶ 2 1 A [Utopia lyre symbol]Side D runout
SMX 53783 2ASide A Etched
SMX 53784 2ASide B Etched
SMX 53785 2ASide C Etched
SMX 53786 2ASide D 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Virgin L 45841/2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Virgin 2676 717First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | France | Virgin 300273First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Virgin 2676 717First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Virgin 300 273-370First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | Virgin AVIL 213502First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Virgin VIP-9907~8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Virgin VIP-9907~8First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Virgin 300 273-370First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Virgin 300.273First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Virgin VGD3502LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Virgin VGD3502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | Virgin 300273-XDFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VGD 3502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VGD 3502First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | France | Virgin 60007LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UK | Back On Black PCV010LPLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2013 | UK | Back On Black PCV010LPLP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
21 vinyl pressings of Live Herald are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1979 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is Virgin VGD 3502, released January 26, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VGD 3502, L 45841/2, 2676 717, 300273) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VGD·3502 · A·4 TY 10 Λ and VGD·3502 · B-1 RAYS A. 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.
