Vinyl pressings
by The Human League · 1981
Open Your Heart 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.
20 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
MPO VS 453 A 8 TOWN HOUSESide A runout
MPO VS 453 B 6 TOWN HOUSESide B runout
VS453-aSide A label
VS453-bSide B label
VS 453 - 12 A1 C TOWN HOUSE /\Side A etched / stamped, variant 1
VS 453 - 12 B2 TOWN HOUSE () /\Side B etched / stamped, variant 1
VS 453 12 . A2 TOWN HOUSESide A etched / stamped, variant 2
VS 453 12 . B2 TOWN HOUSESide B etched / stamped, variant 2
VS 453 A6 TOWN HOUSE AY 53272Side A runout, variant 1
VS 453 B2 AY53272 TOWN HOUSESide B runout, variant 1
VS 453 A6 TOWN HOUSE AY 53272 D 5Side A runout, variant 2
VS 453 B2 AY 53272 TOWN HOUSE B 5Side B runout, variant 2
VS-453-A5 TOWN HOUSE CA side runout
VS 453 B2 TOWN HOUSE AB side runout
VS453-aLabel A side
VS453-bLabel B side
MPO VS 453 A 8 TOWN HOUSESide A
MPO VS 453 B 6 TOWN HOUSESide B
VS 453 A6 TOWN HOUSESide A
VS 453 B2 TOWN HOUSESide B
MPO VS- 453 A 8 TOWN HOUSERunout side a
MPO VS- 453 B 6 TOWN HOUSERunout side b
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 | Canada | Virgin VSX 1145First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Partially Mixed | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Partially Mixed |
| 1981 | Canada | Virgin VS 1145First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Virgin VS 1145 DJFirst year7", Single Sided | 7", Single Sided |
| 1981 | Europe | Virgin 103 714 / Virgin 103 714 - 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Virgin 104 366 / Virgin 104 366-000First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Virgin 103 714 / Virgin 103 714 - 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | Virgin VS453First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Italy | Virgin VIN 45048First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 453-12First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 453First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Portugal | Virgin 504305First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 453First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 453First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS453First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 453First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
26 vinyl pressings of Open Your Heart are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Canada, Europe, Germany and more. One of them is Virgin VS453, released September 28, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS453, VS 453-12, VS 453, VSX 1145) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MPO VS 453 A 8 TOWN HOUSE and MPO VS 453 B 6 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.
