Vinyl pressings
by Steve Hillage · 1979
Rainbow Dome Musick 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.
6 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 4 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.
VR-1-A-2 [Om Symbol] tone ∴ 3Side A, etched, variant 1
VR-1-B-2 tone : ႱJSide B, etched, variant 1
VR-1-A-1 [Om Symbol] toneSide A, etched, variant 2
VR-1-B-1 toneSide B, etched, variant 2
SH 2315 ASide A, Stamped
SH 2030 BSide B, Stamped
VN1VR
VN1VR
A VR-1-A-1 3toneA-side runout - variant 1
VR-1-B-2 tone BB-side runout - variant 1
VR-1-A-1 3toneA-side runout - variant 2
VR-1-B-2 toneB-side runout - variant 2
SMX54239 ..2ASide A run-out
2SMX54240 ..2ASide B run-out
SMX54239Side A label
SMX54240Side B label
139 2445 301 11 380 POLYGRAM
139 2445301 21 380 POLYGRAM
VR1 A 5941 7001Side A runout, engraved
VR1 B 5942 7001Side B runout, engraved
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 36943 / Virgin VR-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Virgin 2445 301First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | Virgin ORL 8346LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Virgin VR1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Virgin VR1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VR1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VR1 / Virgin VR 1First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VR1 / Virgin VR 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Virgin VR1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Virgin VR1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Rainbow Dome Musick are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Australia, France, New Zealand. One of them is Virgin VR1, released April 13, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VR1, L 36943, 2445 301) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VR-1-A-2 [Om Symbol] tone ∴ 3 and VR-1-B-2 tone : ႱJ. 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.
