Vinyl pressings
by Womack & Womack · 1983
Love Wars was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
R/S Alsdorf 966976-0 966987-0 A PF 15A-Side Runout Etching
5 DM̶ R/S Alsdorf 966987-0 BB-Side Runout Etching
966 987-1A-Side Label
966 987-2B-Side Label
R / S Alsdorf 966976-0 A 966987-0 ASide A, stamped in runout
R / S Alsdorf 966976-0 BSide B, stamped in runout
PF BESide B, etched in runout
96-6976-1Side A label
ST-ED-66987-A-SPSide A Label
ST-ED-66987-B-SPSide B Label
ST-E-7-69799-A-ARlabels
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Europe | Elektra 96.6976-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | France | Elektra 96.6976-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Germany | WEA 966 987-0 / Elektra 966 987-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Germany | Elektra 96.6976-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | Elektra E 9799First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | Elektra E 9799First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Elektra 96.6976-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Elektra 769799First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Portugal | Elektra 755 96-6987-0First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Elektra 96.6976-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | US | Elektra ED 4930 / Elektra 0-66987First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Elektra 0-66987First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1983 | US | Elektra 7-69799First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Elektra 7-69799First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | Elektra 7-69799First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | UK | Old Gold OG 421312", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
28 vinyl pressings of Love Wars are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1983 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in Germany, US, Europe, France and more. One of them is WEA 966 987-0.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 966 987-0, 96.6976-0, 0-66987, 7-69799) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 966976-0 966987-0 A PF 15 and 5 DM̶ R/S Alsdorf 966987-0 B. 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.
