Vinyl pressings
by Tomas Ledin · 1982
The Human Touch 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.
12 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 10 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.
EFRPDSide A, variant 1, stamped
Pols SC4ASide A, variant 1
EFRPD Pols 364 A GSSide A, variant 2, stamped & etched
EFRPD Pols 364 B GSSide B, variant 2, stamped & etched
POLS 364 A E.F.RPD GSSide A
POLS 364 B E.F.RPD GSSide B
EPC-25136.A.2 TOWN HOUSE V VRunout Side A
EPC-25136.B.2 TOWN HOUSE C VRunout Side B
540041 ADisc label side A
540041 BDisc 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Argentina | RCA Victor TLP-50040 / Polar TLP-50040First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Finland | Polar POLS 364First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | France | Vogue 540041 / Polar 540041First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | Polydor 2311 191First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Iceland | Polar POLS 364 / Skífan POLS 364First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | South Africa | Sunshine GBL (L) 519First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Spain | Victoria 22L0508First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Spain | Victoria 22L0508 / Victoria VLP-32First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Sweden | Polar POLS 364First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Sweden | Polar POLS 364First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | UK | Epic EPC 25136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Venezuela | RCA Victor 102-01790First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Mexico | RCA MILS 4633LP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of The Human Touch are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1982 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in Sweden, UK, Finland, France and more. One of them is Polar POLS 364.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLS 364, EPC 25136, 540041, 2311 191) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EFRPD and Pols SC4A. 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.
