Vinyl pressings
by The Human League · 1984
Louise was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 8 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.
VS 72312 A-1U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSESide A runout
LP FB120Side B runout
VS 72312 B-3U-1-1-1 BilBo Tape OneSide C runout
LP FB120Side D runout
VS 723 A-20-1-1-9 TOWNHOUSERunout side one variant 1
VS 723 A-20-1-1-9 Bilbo TapeoneRunout side two variant 1
VS 723 A-1U-1-1-17 TOWNHOUSERunout side one variant 2
VS 723 B-3U-1-2-0 Bilbo TapeoneRunout side two variant 2
VS 723 A-1U-1-1-2 TOWNHOUSEA-side runout variant 1
VS 723 B-3U-1-1-3 BILBO TAPE ONEB-side runout variant 1
VS 723 A-2U-1-1-13 TOWNHOUSEA-side runout variant 2
VS 723 B-4U-1-1-3 BILBO TAPE ONEB-side runout variant 2
VS 72312 A-2U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSERunout, A-side, stamped, variant 1
VS 72312 B-3U-1-1-1Runout, B-side, stamped, variant 1
VS 72312 A-1U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSERunout, A-side, stamped, variant 2
VS 72312 B-3U-1-1-0Runout, B-side, stamped, variant 2
VSY+723+ARunout side A, hand-etched
VSY+723+B CPC+SRTRunout side B, hand-etched
VS 72312 A-2U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSEA Side, variant 1
VS 72312 B-3U-1-1-1 BILBO TAPE ONEB Side, variant 1
VS 72312 A-1U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSEA Side, variant 2
VS 72312 B-4U-1-1-1 BILBO TAPE ONEB Side, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin VS 723First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin VS 723First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Virgin VS1230First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 106 746 / Virgin 106 746-100First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 601 502-213First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Ireland | Virgin VS 723First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Virgin VS723First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Virgin VS723-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Virgin VP 010First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin VS723-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin VSY 723First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin VS723-12First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin VSDJ723First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin VSY 7237", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Picture disc |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records AM-2657 / Virgin AM-2657First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
21 vinyl pressings of Louise are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Virgin VS 72312, released October 11, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 72312, VS 723, VS723, VS723-12) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 72312 A-1U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSE and LP FB120. 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.
