Vinyl pressings
by The Motors · 1978
Approved By The Motors was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
30 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 17 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.
V 2101 - ARunout side A, variant 1
V 2101 - BRunout side B, variant 1
V-2101-A-2 Ʊ C BRunout side A, variant 2, etched; C and B stamped
V-2101-B-2 C Ʊ BRunout side B variant 2, etched; C and B stamped
V-2101-A-2 ƱSide A runout, variant 1 etched [lyre symbol: Ʊ] stamped
V-2101-B-3 Ʊ CSide B runout, variant 1 etched [lyre symbol: Ʊ] C stamped
V⋅2101⋅A-2 Ʊ FSide A runout, variant 2 etched [lyre symbol: Ʊ] F stamped
V⋅2101⋅B-3 Ʊ DSide B runout, variant 2 etched [lyre symbol: Ʊ] D stamped
AL 36348-1B S 2 A 4Side A Runout, stamped exc "S 2 A 4" Variant 1
BL 36348-1B S 2 B 4Side B Runout, stamped exc "S 2 B 4" Variant 1
AL 35348-1B S 1 A 5Side A Runout, Variant 2
AL 35348-1B S 1 B 2Side B Runout, Variant 2
AL 35348-1A 1 T V 0Runout Side A, stamped excl. "T"
P BL 35348-1CRunout Side B, stamped
P P AL 35348-1CSide A, runout
ᴑ BL 35348-1A T ASide B, runout
AL 35348SIde A, label
BL 35348Side B, label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Virgin L 36568First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Virgin V 2101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Virgin V 2101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Virgin 2473 748First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Virgin 2473 748First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Virgin 2473 748First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Virgin 2473 748First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Virgin 26 090 XOTFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Greece | Virgin 2473 748First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Greece | Virgin 2473 748LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Israel | Virgin BAN V2101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Virgin VIP-6920First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | Virgin VIP-6920First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Virgin 26 090 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Virgin V 2101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 202LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
36 vinyl pressings of Approved By The Motors are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Germany, Hong Kong and more. One of them is Virgin V 2101, released May 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V 2101, JZ 35348, 26090 xot/96385, L 36568) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V 2101 - A and V 2101 - B. 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.
