Vinyl pressings
by Ultravox · 1978
Systems Of Romance was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
ILPS 9555 A-1USide A runout, variant 1 stamped
ILPS 9555 B-1USide B runout, variant 1 stamped
ILPS 9555 A-1U GO 1Side A runout, variant 2 stamped
ILPS 9555 B-1U RD 1Side B runout, variant 2 stamped
ILPS 9555 A-2USide A runout stamped
ILPS 9555 B-2USide B runout stamped
ILPS 9555 B - 1USide B runout stamped
ILPS 9555-ASide A Label
ILPS 9555 A-1UA side runout
LPFB 2B side runout
ILPS 9555 B-1UC side runout
LPFB 2D side runout
UV-1-1
A-2 KL AN-7069-A STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
A-3 ["Union Jack" symbol] AN-7069-BSide B runout, variant 1
A-4 KL AN-7069-A STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
A-1 ["Union Jack" symbol] AN-7069-BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Island Records L36761 / Island Records L 36761First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Australia | Not On Label 38292First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1978 | Canada | Island Records AN 7069 / Antilles AN 7069First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Island Records ILPS-9555First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Island Records 9123.034 / Island Records 9123 034First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Island Records 26 453 XOTFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Island Records 26 453-270 / Island Records 26 453 XOTLP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1978 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19555First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Island Records L36761 / Island Records ILPS 9555First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Philippines | Island Records ILPS 9555First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Sweden | Island Records ILPS 9555First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Island Records UV-1LP, 45 RPM, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, 45 RPM, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1978 | UK | Island Records UV-1-1First yearLP, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | LP, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9555First yearLP, White Label, Stereo | LP, White Label, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Antilles AN-7069First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9555LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | Island Records 26.453-ILP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Japan | Polystar 20S-63 / Island Records ILPS 9555LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Japan | Island Records ILPS 9555 / Polystar 20S-63LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Antilles AN 7069LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | UK & Europe | Island Records ILPSX 9555LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Island Records 202 440LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Island Records 9123 034 / Island Records 9123.034LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Spain | Island Records 26.453-I / Island Records 26453-ILP, Album | LP, Album |
30 vinyl pressings of Systems Of Romance are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1978 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9555, released September 8, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9555, UV-1-1, AN-7069, L36761) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9555 A-1U and ILPS 9555 B-1U. 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.
