Vinyl pressings
by Tanita Tikaram · 1988
Ancient Heart was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
R/S Alsdorf 243877-1-A4Runout, side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 243877-1-BRunout, side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 243877-1-A4 x TY1 30Runout, side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 243877-1-B TY1 50Runout, side B, variant 2
WX-210-A3 L2988 DAMONT NARunout side A, variant 1
WX-210-B3 L2989 DAMONT ZRunout side B, variant 1
WX-210-A3 1 DAMONT L21988Runout side A, variant 2
WX-210-B3 N DAMONT L21989 2̶Runout side B, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 243877-1-A3 51 <T> TY1Side A runout, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 243877-1-B 1 VII TY1 <T>Side B runout, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 243877-1-A3 5 II <T> TY1Side A runout, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 243877-1-B TY1 <T>Side B runout, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 243877-1-A4 4x TY1 30Runout, side A
R/S Alsdorf 243877-1-B XX TY1 145Runout, side B
R/S Alsdorf 243877-1-A4Side A Variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 243877-1-BSide B Variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 243877-1-A4 x TY1 30Side A Variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 243877-1-B TY1 50Side B Variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | WEA 80773First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Australia | WEA 243877-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | WEA 24 38771First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Canada | WEA W1 43877LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1988 | Europe | WEA WX 210 / WEA 243877 -1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | WEA 243877-1 / WEA WX 210First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1988 | Europe | WEA WX 210 / WEA 243877 -1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | WEA WX 210 / WEA 243877 -1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | WEA WX 210 / WEA 243877 -1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | WEA 243877-1 / WEA 243 877-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | WEA 243877-1 / WEA 243 877-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Hungary | Gong SLPXL 37271 / WEA SLPXL 37271First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Israel | WEA BAN 243877-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Italy | WEA 243877-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Portugal | WEA 2438771First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | AMIGA 8 56 501LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2337LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2337LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2337LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
30 vinyl pressings of Ancient Heart are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1988 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in Europe, US, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is WEA WX 210, released September 13, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WX 210, 243877-1, 1-25839, 80773) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 243877-1-A4 and R/S Alsdorf 243877-1-B. 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.
