Vinyl pressings
by The Human League · 1981
The Sound Of The Crowd 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.
13 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 6 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 416 A(B crossed out)2 An Electronic BilBo BopparoonieRunout side A, variant 1 & 2
VS 416 B1 BilBo TA1PERunout side B, variant 1
VS 416 B2 BilBo TA1PERunout side B, variant 2
VS 416 AB̶ 2 AN ELECTRONIC BILBO BOPPAROONIE ⋀Runout side A variant 3
VS 41612 A1 A BILBO ELECTRONIC BOPPA! BRunout groove side A, variant 1
VS 41612 B1 TA1PE BRunout groove side B, variant 1
VS 41612 A1 A BILBO ELECTRONIC BOPPA! ⋀Runout groove side A, variant 2
VS-416-12-B2 TA1PE ⋀Runout groove side B, variant 2
VS 41612 A - 1U 1 1 Town HouseRunout: Side A
VS 41612 B -1U 1 1 Town HouseRunout: Side B
VS 416 A1 AN ELECTRONIC BilBo BOPPAROONIESide A, variant 1, etched
VS 416 B1 BilBo TA1PESide B, variant 1
VS 416 A(B crossed out)2 AN ELECTRONIC BilBo BOPPAROONIESide A, variant 2
VS 416 B1 BilBo TA1PESide B, variant 2
VS 416 A1 AN ELECTRONIC BilBo BOPPAROONIERunout Side A etched
VS 416 B1 BilBo TA1PERunout Side B etched
VS 41612 A1 < BILBO ELECTRONIC BOPPA!Runout groove side A
VS-416-12-B2 < TA1PERunout groove 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 | Australia | Virgin VS 416First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin VS 416First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | Virgin VEP 304First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | France | Virgin 103484First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | Virgin VS 416First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 416First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 416First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 416First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 416-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 416First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS416 / Virgin VS 416First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 416-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Virgin VS 416-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of The Sound Of The Crowd are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, Canada, France and more. One of them is Virgin VS416, released April 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS416, VS 416-12, VS 416, VEP 304) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 416 A(B crossed out)2 An Electronic BilBo Bopparoonie and VS 416 B1 BilBo TA1PE. 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.
