Vinyl pressings
by The Human League · 1983
Fascination! was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
VEP-319A SNB ELRunout side A, version 1
VEP-319B SNB ELRunout side B, version 1
VEP-319A SNB DL 230 DM:Runout side A, etched, version 2
VEP-319B - 2 SNB ELRunout side B, etched, version 2
VEP-319-A ➁ SnB Al 230 DM-2Variant 1 Side One runouts
VEP-319-B SnB Al 230 DM-5Variant 1 Side Two runouts
VEP-319A -2 SNB EL DM-1Variant 2 Side A Runout, etched (“1” in DM-1 is stamped)
VEP-319-B ➁ SNB Al• 230 DM-3Variant 2 Side B Runout, etched (“3” in DM-3 is stamped)
VEP-319-A ➁ SnB Aℓ 230 DM-2Runout side A (Variant 1)
VEP-319-B SnB Al 230 DM-5Runout side B (Variant 1)
VEP-319-A SnB Aℓ 230 DM-4Runout side A (Variant 2)
VEP-319-B ➁ SnB EL 230 DM-5Runout side B (Variant 2)
AM SP012501-A ES1Runout side A variant 1
AM SP012501-B ES1Runout side B variant 1
AM SP012501-A ES1 [drawing] EMWRunout side A variant 2
AM SP012501-B ES1"• [drawing] EMWRunout side B variant 2
AM SP 012501-A ES1 [pig's snout] EMWSide A, etched var.1
AM SP 012501-B ES1 [pig's snout] EMWSide B, etched var.1
AM SP 012501-A ES2.. [pig's snout] EMWSide A, etched var.2
AM SP 012501-B ES1. [pig's snout] EMWSide B, etched var.2
AM SP012501-A RCA1 A1C (drawing of pig with pointy ears)Side A etched runout, variant 1
AM SP012501-B RCA1 A1G (drawing of pig with pointy ears)Side B etched runout, variant 1
AM SP012501-A RCA1. (drawing of pig with pointy ears)Side A etched runout, variant 2
AM SP012501-B RCA1. (drawing of pig with pointy ears)Side B etched runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | Virgin HL 1First yearLP, Mini-Album, Stereo | LP, Mini-Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | Virgin VEP 319First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Virgin VEP 319First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1983 | El Salvador | RCA Victor VIL-02First yearLP, Mini-Album, Stereo | LP, Mini-Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Taiwan | Star Power Records LMSP-024First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1983 | Taiwan | Best Fortune Records JKA-8172LP, Mini-Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Mini-Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records SP-12501LP, Mini-Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Mini-Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records SP-12501First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records SP-12501First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records SP-12501LP, Mini-Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Mini-Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records SP-12501First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records SP-12501First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records SP-12501First yearLP, Mini-Album, Stereo | LP, Mini-Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records SP-12501First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records SP-12501First yearLP, Mini-Album, Stereo | LP, Mini-Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | UK | Virgin 00602435772714LP, Mini-Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Mini-Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2022 | UK | Virgin 3577271LP, Mini-Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Mini-Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
17 vinyl pressings of Fascination! are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1983 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in Canada, US, El Salvador, Taiwan. One of them is Virgin HL 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HL 1, VEP 319, SP-12501, VIL-02) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VEP-319A SNB EL and VEP-319B SNB EL. 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.
