Vinyl pressings
by Van Der Graaf Generator · 1978
Vital 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.
11 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 9 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.
CVL 1 A//1 C ALLENRunout side A, variant 1
CVL 1 B//1 C ALLENRunout side B, variant 1
CVL 2 A//1C ALLENRunout side C, variant 1
CVL 2 B//1C ALLENRunout side D, variant 1
PVC-9901-A-RE-1 HUB STERLINGSide A
PVC-9901-B-RE 1 HUB STERLINGSide B
PVC-9901-C (IMP 9902-C - Scratched Out) HUBSide C
PVC-9901-D (IMP 9902-D - Scratched Out) HUBSide D
CVL 1 A//1 C ALLENSide 1
CVL 1 B//1 C ALLENSide 2
CVL 2 A//1 C ALLENSide 3
CVL 2 B//1 C ALLENSide 4
CVL 1 A//1 C L1 1 ALLENRunout side A
CVL 1 B//1 C L2 6 ALLENRunout side B
CVL 2 A//1C L1 4 ALLENRunout side C
CVL 2 B//1 C L2 2 ALLENRunout side D
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 | Canada | GRT Of Canada Ltd. 2211-101 / Charisma 2211-101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Charisma CVLD 101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Philips 6641 881First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Greece | Philips 6641 881 / Phonogram 6641 881First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Israel | Phonodor 4403First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Italy | Charisma 6641 881First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Philips SFX-10067~8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Spain | Philips 66 41 881First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | PVC Records PVC 9901First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | PVC Records PVC 9901First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | PVC Records PVC 9901LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | UK | Charisma CVLD 101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Europe | Esoteric Recordings ECLECLP22865LP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Charisma 2211-101 / GRT Of Canada Ltd. 2211-101LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Japan | Philips SFX-10067~8LP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| ? | US | PVC Records PVC 9901LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | PVC Records PVC 9901LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
17 vinyl pressings of Vital are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1978 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Canada, France and more. One of them is Charisma CVLD 101, released July 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CVLD 101, PVC 9901, 2211-101, 6641 881) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CVL 1 A//1 C ALLEN and CVL 1 B//1 C ALLEN. 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.
