Vinyl pressings
by Tom Verlaine · 1982
Words From The Front was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 12 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.
BSK-I-3685-RE3 JW2 #IRunout Side A hand-etched, variant 1
BSK-2-3685-RE3 JW2 #IRunout Side B hand-etched, variant 1
BSK-1-3685-RE3 JW1 #1 0Runout Side A hand-etched, variant 2
BSK-2-3685-RE3 JW1 #1 0Runout Side B hand-etched, variant 2
BSK-1-3685-RE3 WW1 · ─◁Runout Side A hand-etched, variant 1
BSK-2-3685-RE3 WW1 · ─◁Runout Side B hand-etched, variant 1
BSK-1-3685-RE3 WW1 #2 · ─◁Runout Side A hand-etched, variant 2
BSK-2-3685-RE3 WW1 · ─◁Runout Side B hand-etched, variant 2
BSK-I-3685-RE3 LW2 * ✲Runout side A, variant 1
BSK-2-3685-RE3 LW2 * ✲Runout side B, variant 1
BSK-I-3685-RE3 LW2 * 1 ✲Runout side A, variant 2
BSK-2-3685-RE3 LW2 * 1 ✲Runout side B, variant 2
V2227 A4 6 TOWN HOUSE ASide A runout, stamped, "V2227 A4" etched, variant 1
V2227 B2 TOWN HOUSE ASide B runout, stamped, "V2227 B2" etched, variant 1
V2227 A1 6 TOWN HOUSE ASide A runout, stamped, "V2227 A4" etched, variant 2
V2227 B1 6 TOWN HOUSE ASide B runout, stamped, "V2227 B2" etched, variant 2
MX201452Side A Runout Stamped
MX201453Side B Runout Stamped
V 2227-1Side A Runout Stamped
V 2227-2Side B Runout Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Virgin V 2227First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Australia | Virgin V 2227First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3685First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records XBS 3685First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records XBS 3685First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Virgin 204 749 / Virgin 204 749-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | France | Virgin 204749 / Virgin 204.749First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Italy | Virgin VIL12227First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | Victor VIP6997First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Japan | Virgin VIP-6997 / Virgin VIRG-6997First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Virgin V 2227First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Portugal | Virgin 608705 / Edisom 608705First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | Virgin V 2227First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Spain | Virgin I-204 749First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | UK | Virgin V 2227First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 87LP, Album | LP, Album |
22 vinyl pressings of Words From The Front are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1982 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BSK 3685.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSK 3685, V 2227, XBS 3685, 204 749) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BSK-I-3685-RE3 JW2 #I and BSK-2-3685-RE3 JW2 #I. 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.
