Vinyl pressings
by Thin Lizzy · 1972
Shades Of A Blue Orphanage was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 5 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.
ZAL-11209.P-2 UC 3CSide A runout stamped, variant 1
ZAL-11210-P-3 DH 3CSide B runout stamped, variant 1
ZAL-11209.P-2 1Side A runout stamped, variant 2
ZAL-11210-P-3 UM 3CSide B runout stamped, variant 2
ZAL-11209.P-2 H 1A side runout, variant 1
ZAL-11210.P-3 H 1B side runout, variant 1
ZAL-11209.P-2 B U 1A side runout, variant 2
ZAL-11210.P-3 B B 3 CB side runout, variant 2
ZAL-11209.P-2A Side, Stamped [Var. 1]
ZAL-11210.P-3B Side, Stamped [Var. 1]
ZAL-11209.P-2 B C 1A Side, Stamped [Var. 2]
zal-11210.P-3 B C 3 CB Side, Stamped [Var. 2]
ZAL-11209.P-2Runout side A
ZAL-11210 P-3Runout side B
{ZAL 11209 P}Label side A
{ZAL 11210 P}Label side B
ZAL-11209.P-2 UU 1Side A runout stamped
ZAL-11210.P-3 CD 1Side B runout stamped
{ZAL.11209 P}Label side A
{ZAL.11210 P}Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | France | Decca 278.005 BFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Decca SLK 16759-P / Decca SLK 16759 PFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Decca SLK 16759-PFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | South Africa | Decca TXS 108First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Spain | Decca CPS 9213First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Decca TXS 108First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Decca TXS 108First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Decca TXS 108First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Decca TXS 108LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1972 | UK | Decca TXS 108First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Decca TXS 108 / Decca TXS.108First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | London Records LAX 156 / London Records LAX-156LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Greece | Decca 45102LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Germany | Deram 820 527-2LP, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | UK | Decca TXS 108LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2012 | Unknown | Decca SLK 16759-PLP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2014 | UK & Europe | Decca 5353567 / Decca TXS 108LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2014 | US | Mercury 5353567LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | US | Future Days Recordings FDR 610 / Decca TXS 108LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2019 | Europe | Decca 0801729LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 2019 | Europe | Decca 0801729 / UMC 0602508017292LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Europe | Decca 5851116 / Decca 602458511161LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2024 | Europe | Decca 585116 / Decca 602458511161LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Decca SLK 16759-PLP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Germany | Decca SLK 16759-PLP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | UK | Decca TXS 108LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | UK | Decca TXS 108LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Deram 6-534 024LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Decca TXS 108LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK & Europe | Decca TXS 108LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
30 vinyl pressings of Shades Of A Blue Orphanage are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1972 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, France, Germany, South Africa and more. One of them is Decca TXS 108, released March 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TXS 108, 278.005 B, SLK 16759-P, CPS 9213) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-11209.P-2 UC 3C and ZAL-11210-P-3 DH 3C. 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.
