Vinyl pressings
by The Human League · 1981
Dare was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
41 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 25 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.
V2192 A1 38 TOWN HOUSE CA side runout - variant 1
V2192 B1 35 TOWN HOUSE BB side runout - variant 1
V2192 A2 TOWNHOUSEA side runout - variant 2
V2192 B1 TOWNHOUSEB side runout - variant 2
V 2192 A-1U-1-2 TOWN HOUSE [Etched]A Side runout, stamped, variant 1
V 2192 B-1U-1-1 TOWN HOUSEB Side runout, stamped, variant 1
V 2192 A-1U-1-2-3 TOWN HOUSEA Side runout, stamped, variant 2
V 2192 B-1U-1-1-2 TOWN HOUSEB Side runout, stamped, variant 2
VP+2192+A ORLAKEEtched A side (Variant 1, 2)
VP+2192+B2 ORLAKEEtched B side (Variant 1)
VP+2192+B ORLAKEEtched B side (Variant 2)
VP+2192+A2 ORLAKEEtched A side (Variant 3)
VP+2192+A B TOWN HOUSE ORLAKESide A runout
VP+2192+B2 TOWN HOUSE ORLAKESide B runout
V2192 A1 TOWNHOUSEA side runout
V2192 B2 TOWNHOUSEB side runout
V 2192 A-3U-1-1-7 BILBO TAPE ONEA side runout, stamped/etched Variant 1
V 2192 B-3U-1-1-X1 BILBO TAPE ONEB side runout, stamped/etched Variant 1
2192aA side label
2192bB side label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | CBS 20.312 / Discos CBS 20.312First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Argentina | CBS 20.312 / Discos CBS 20.312First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australasia | Virgin V2192First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin V 2192First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin V 2192First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | Virgin 142.001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Virgin VL 2230First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Costa Rica | CBS 1100691First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Virgin 204 104 / Virgin 204 104 -610First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Finland | Virgin V 2192First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Virgin 204104First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Virgin 204104First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Virgin 29 034 9 / Bertelsmann Club 29 034 9LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | Germany | Virgin 204 104 / Virgin 204 104-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Virgin 204 104-320 / Virgin 29 034 6LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | Virgin 204 104 / Virgin V2192LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Europe | Virgin 00600753454473LP, 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Picture disc | LP, 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Picture disc |
| 2014 | Europe | Virgin 535 100-6 / Virgin 0600753510063LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Sweden | VirginLP, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2023 | Sweden | VirginLP, Reissue, White Label, Stereo | LP, Reissue, White Label, Stereo |
| 2023 | Worldwide | Universal Music Recordings 549780 / Virgin 549780LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Virgin 204 104 / Virgin 204 104-320LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Europe | Virgin 204 104-610LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | Virgin 5351006LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 333 / Virgin 204 104LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Virgin V2192LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4892 / Virgin SP-4892LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4892 / Virgin SP-4892LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
82 vinyl pressings of Dare are listed here, from 37 countries, released between 1981 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, France, Argentina, Ireland and more. One of them is Virgin V2192, released October 16, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V2192, VP2192, VP 2192, 204104) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V2192 A1 38 TOWN HOUSE C and V2192 B1 35 TOWN HOUSE 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.
