Vinyl pressings
by Ultravox · 1981
Vienna was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
37 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
CHS 2481 A // 2 ▼ E UT 12 JH.ƱSide A, stamped, etched runout variant 1
CHS 2481 B // 7 ▼ E UT 12 ƱSide B, stamped, etched runout variant 1
CHS 2481 A // 2 ▼ E UT 11 11 JH.ƱSide A, stamped, etched runout variant 2
CHS 2481 B // 7 ▼ E UT 11 16 ƱSide B, stamped, etched runout variant 2
634 CTA CHS-122481 A POLYGRAM Ʊ J.H.Run-out Side A - stamped / etched Utopia Lyre and tag
634 CTA CHS-122481 B Ʊ POLYGRAMRun-out Side B - stamped / etched Utopia Lyre symbol
CHS 122481 A // 1▽EUT 11 [Utopia lyre symbol]JHA side runout variant 1
CHS 122481 B // 1▽EUT [Utopia lyre symbol] 11B side runout variant 1
CHS 122481 A // 1▽EUT 11 31 [Utopia lyre symbol]JHA side runout variant 2
CHS 122481 B // 1▽EUT [Utopia lyre symbol] 11 9B side runout variant 2
Ʊ JH CHS 2481 A4 DAMONT HA side - etched
Ʊ CHS 2481 B4 DAMONT FB side - etched
634 CYA CHS 2481 A POLYGRAM BA-side runout variant 1
634 CYA CHS 2481 B POLYGRAM BB-side runout variant 1
Ʊ 634 CYA CHS 2481 A POLYGRAM AA-side runout variant 2
A B̶ Ʊ 634 CYA CHS 2481 B POLYGRAM B A̶A̶C̶B-side runout variant 2
CHS 2481 A // 1 ∇ E UT ƱA-side run-out, stamped and etched, variant 1
CHS 2481 B // 6 7̶ ∇ E UT ƱB-side run-out, stamped and etched, variant 1
CHS 2481 A // 1 ∇ E UT 6 ƱA-side run-out, stamped and etched, variant 2
CHS 2481 B // 6 ̶7̶∇ E UT 1 3 4 ƱB-side run-out, stamped and etched, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Chrysalis K-8219 / Chrysalis CHS 2481First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Chrysalis K-8219 / Chrysalis CHS-2481First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Austria | Chrysalis 102 905 / Chrysalis 102 905-100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Europe | Chrysalis 600 352 / Chrysalis 600 352-213First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Chrysalis 12.2481First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | France | Chrysalis CHS 2481 / Chrysalis CHS 12 2481First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Chrysalis 102 905 / Chrysalis 102 905-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Chrysalis 102 9057", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Germany | Chrysalis 600 352 / Chrysalis 600 352-213First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Chrysalis CHS 2481First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 102 905 / Chrysalis 102 905-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Chrysalis K 8219 / Chrysalis CHS 2481First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Chrysalis CHS 2481 / Chrysalis CHS-2481First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Chrysalis CHS 2481 / Chrysalis CHS-2481First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | Chrysalis CHS 2481 / Chrysalis CHS-2481First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | UK | Chrysalis CHS 3936 / Chrysalis 0946 3 23936 7 87", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1993 | UK | Chrysalis CHS 39367", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
40 vinyl pressings of Vienna are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1981 and 1993.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Canada, South Africa and more. One of them is Chrysalis CHS 2481, released January 9, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHS 2481, CHS 12 2481, CHS 2515, CHS-12-2481) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHS 2481 A // 2 ▼ E UT 12 JH.Ʊ and CHS 2481 B // 7 ▼ E UT 12 Ʊ. 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.
