Vinyl pressings
by The Human League · 1982
Mirror Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
37 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 18 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 - 522 - 12 - A1 TOWN HOUSE /\Side A etched / stamped (Variant 1)
VS - 522 - 12 - B1 TOWN HOUSE /\Side B etched / stamped (Variant 1)
VS-522-12-A1 1 C TOWN HOUSE BSide A etched / stamped (Variant 2)
VS-522-12-B1 7 TOWN HOUSE /\Side B etched / stamped (Variant 2)
VS 522 A3Runout, A-side, etched, Variant 1
VS 522 B2Runout, B-side, etched, Variant 1
VS 522 A4Runout, A-side, etched, Variant 2
VS 522 B-1Runout, B-side, etched, Variant 2
VS 522 A4 1 1 TOWN HOUSE BRunout, A-side, etched/stamped, variant 1
VS 522 B-1 2 7 TOWN HOUSE ΛRunout, B-side, etched/stamped, variant 1
VS-522-A1 TOWN HOUSE ⋀Runout, A-side, variant 2
VS-522-B2 TOWN HOUSE BRunout, B-side, variant 2
VSY 5222aMatrix side A
VSY 5222bMatrix side B
VSY-522-A ORLAKESide A, hand-etched runout, Variant 1
VSY+522+B ORLAKESide B, hand-etched runout, Variant 1
Side A etched / stamped (Variant 1): VS - 522 - 12 - A1 TOWN HOUSE
Side B etched / stamped (Variant 1): VS - 522 - 12 - B1 TOWN HOUSE
VSX 1154-A SnB 230Side A etched
VSX 1154-B SnBSide B etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Brazil | Virgin 42.002First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Brazil | Virgin 42.002First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Canada | Virgin VS 1154First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Canada | Virgin VSX 1154First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress |
| 1982 | Europe | Virgin 600 696 / Virgin 600 696-213First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | Virgin 104 828 / Virgin 104 828-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Finland | Virgin VS522 / Virgin VS 522First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | France | Virgin 600 696First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | France | Virgin 104828First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | France | Virgin 104828First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Greece | Virgin 2141 702First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1982 | Greece | Virgin 2097 179First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Greece | Virgin 2141 70212", Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Ireland | Virgin VS 522First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Ireland | Virgin VS522-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
52 vinyl pressings of Mirror Man are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1982 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, Canada, Italy, Mexico and more. One of them is Virgin VS522-12, released November 8, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS522-12, VS522, VSY 522, VS-522-12) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS - 522 - 12 - A1 TOWN HOUSE /\ and VS - 522 - 12 - B1 TOWN HOUSE /\. 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.
