Vinyl pressings
by The Style Council · 1987
The Cost Of Loving was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 16 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.
T S C L P 4 A // 1 ▽420 T 1 1 U JASide A - variant 1
T S C L P 4 B // 1 ▽420 T 1 1 15 JASide B - variant 1
T S C L P 4 C // 1 ▽420 T 1 2 1 U JASide C - variant 1
T S C L P 4 D(B x'd out) // 1 ▽420 T 1 1 1 6 JASide D - variant 1
TSCLP-4-A1. MT JASide A runout
TSCLP-4-B1. MT JASide B runout
A2 422-831-443-1 AS F/WRunout Side A variant 1
A2 422-831-443-1 BSRunout Side B variant 1
422·831·443·1· AS F/W¢ A-2 ᐉRunout Side A variant 2
422·831·443·1· BS A-2 ᐉRunout Side B variant 2
422-831-443-1-AS 2 F/W ¢ I A1NSide A runout, variant 1
422-831-443-1-BS-1 I A2ESide B runout, variant 1
422-831-443-1-AS 2 F/W ¢ I A1DSide A runout, variant 2
422-831-443-1-BS̵-1 I A2DSide B runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australasia | Polydor 831 443-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australasia | Polydor 831 443-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | Polydor 831 443-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Polydor 831 443-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Polydor 831 443-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Polydor 422831 443-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | France | Polydor 831 443-1 / Polydor 831443-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Germany | Polydor 831 443-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Polydor 831 525-1 / Polydor 831 526-1First year12", 45 RPM, Album | 12", 45 RPM, Album |
| 1987 | Greece | Polydor 831 443-1 / Polydor 831443-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Ireland | Polydor TSCLP 4First year12", Album | 12", Album |
| 1987 | Israel | Polydor 831 443-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | Polydor 831 443-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Italy | Polydor 831 962-1First yearLP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1987 | Japan | Polydor 20MM 0557First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Polydor 831 443-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | UK | Polydor TSCLP 4 / UMC 573411912", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
28 vinyl pressings of The Cost Of Loving are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1987 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is Polydor TSCLP 4, released February 2, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TSCLP 4, 831 443-2, 831 443-1 Y-1, 422 831 443-1 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T S C L P 4 A // 1 ▽420 T 1 1 U JA and T S C L P 4 B // 1 ▽420 T 1 1 15 JA. 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.
