Vinyl pressings
by The Beloved · 1990
Happiness was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1990, the album's first year, in 6 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 229 246253-1-A2 28Runout area, side A, stamped [28 etched]
R / S Alsdorf 229 246253-1-B3 X 6Runout area, side B, stamped [X 9 etched]
R / S Alsdorf 229 246253-1-A2 27Runout side A
R / S Alsdorf 229 246253-1-B3 XX 2Runout side B
R / S Alsdorf 229 246253-1-B3 XX 37Runout side A
R / S Alsdorf 229 246253-1-B3 XX 4Runout side B
R / S Alsdorf 229 246253-1-A2Runout side A, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 229 246253-1-B3Runout side B, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 229 246253-1-A2 42Runout side A, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 229 246253-1-B3 XX 12Runout side B, variant 2
ST-A-897679-C 1-1Etched, runout groove, side A
ST-A-897680-C 1-1Etched, runout groove, side B
ATLANTIC STUDIOS DK SRC(Logo)Stamped, runout groove, both sides
46253-ALabel, side A
46253-BLabel, side B
BMG 670.9166-A 1LA2A-side runout
BMG 670.9166-B 1LA2B-side runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Argentina | WEA 80260First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Brazil | EastWest 670.9166 / EastWest 229246253-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Europe | EastWest WX299 / EastWest 2292-46253-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Greece | WEA 246 253-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Greece | WEA 246 253-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1990 | Mexico | WEA LPNI-6943First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | US | Atlantic 82047-1 / Atlantic 7 82047-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Europe | WEA WX 299 / WEA WX299First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Europe | WEA WX 299 / WEA WX299First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Not On LabelLP, LP, Single Sided, All Media, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, LP, Single Sided, All Media, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2020 | Europe | New State Music NEW9239LPLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
11 vinyl pressings of Happiness are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1990 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in Europe, US, Argentina, Brazil and more. One of them is WEA WX 299, released February 19, 1990.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WX 299, WX299, 82047-1, 80260) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R / S Alsdorf 229 246253-1-A2 28 and R / S Alsdorf 229 246253-1-B3 X 6. 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.
