Vinyl pressings
by The Rumour · 1980
Purity Of Essence was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 9 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.
SEEZ-27-A1 AN UNBREAKABLE RECORD IS USEFUL... STEVE...Runout side A, variant 1
SEEZ 27 B2 STEVE..Runout side B, variant 1
SEEZ-27-A1 AN UNBREAKABLE RECORD IS USEFUL... STEVE...Runout side A, variant 2
SEEZ 27-B1 SA FOR BREAKING OTHER RECORDS...Runout side B, variant 2
6.24 450 - 01 - 1 Manufactured in Germany Sch IIA-side runout
6.24 450 - 01 - 2 Manufactured in Germany Sch IIB-side runout
6.24 450-01-1A-side label
6.24 450-01-2B-side label
〄Ⓑ SEEZ 27A 111 ✢ WSide A
SEEZ 27B 111✢Side B
CR SEEZ 27 -A / 45729 - 1 - YRunout Side A, Etched
SEEZ 27 - B / 45730 - 1 - YRunout Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Stiff Records L 37396First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.24 450 / Stiff Records 6.24450First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Stiff Records VIP-6743First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Stiff Records VIP-6743First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Stiff Records SEEZ 27First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Portugal | Stiff Records SEEZ 27 NPFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Portugal | Stiff Records SEEZ 27 NPFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Stiff Records SEEZ 27First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Stiff Records TXS 3193First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Stiff Records TXS 3193First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Hong Kong | Stiff Records SEEZ 27First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Stiff Records SEEZ 27First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Purity Of Essence are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Hong Kong, Australia, Germany and more. One of them is Stiff Records SEEZ 27, released August 29, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SEEZ 27, L 37396, 6.24 450, VIP-6743) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SEEZ-27-A1 AN UNBREAKABLE RECORD IS USEFUL... STEVE... and SEEZ 27 B2 STEVE... 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.
