Vinyl pressings
by Steve Hillage · 1979
Open 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.
11 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
V-2135-A1 Λ 5 TY/CBS/VMS 80Etched, Runout Side A
V-2135-B2 Λ 5 TY/CBS/VMS 80 CEtched, Runout Side B
V-2135-A1 < TY/CBS/VMS 80 5Etched, Runout Side A Variant 2
V-2135-B2 < TY/CBS/VMS 80 CEtched, Runout Side B Variant 2
VIG 139 2473792 1Y 38 0 POLYGRAMSide A, stamped
VIG 139 2473792 2Y 38 0 POLYGRAMSide B, stamped
VIG 139 2473792 1Y 38 0 POLYGRAMSide 1, stamped
VIG 139 2473792 2Y 38 0 POLYGRAMSide 2, stamped
VIG 139 2473792 1Y 38 0 POLYGRAMSide 1, stamped
VIG 139 2473792 2Y 38 0 POLYGRAMSide 2, stamped
201050 A - 1/79 S Made in GermanySide A runout, stamped
201050 B - 1/79 S Made in GermanySide B runout, stamped
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 37114LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | France | Virgin 2473 792 / Virgin V2135First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | France | Virgin 201050First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Virgin 2473 792First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Virgin 2473 792First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Virgin 201 050 / Virgin V2135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Virgin VIL 12135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Virgin 200.975 / Virgin V2135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Virgin V 2135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Portugal | Virgin VV-33.038 YFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | Virgin 201050-I / Virgin 201.050-IFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin V 2135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | Virgin VIP-6945 / Virgin VIRG-6047LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Virgin VIP-6945 / Virgin VIRG-6047LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin OVED 31 / Virgin V2135LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of Open are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1979 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, France, Germany, Italy and more. One of them is Virgin V 2135, released October 12, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V 2135, 2473 792, 201050, 201 050) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V-2135-A1 Λ 5 TY/CBS/VMS 80 and V-2135-B2 Λ 5 TY/CBS/VMS 80 C. 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.
