Vinyl pressings
by XTC · 1980
Black Sea was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
29 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 14 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.
V2173 A3 TOWNHOUSESide A runout, variant 1
V2173 B1 TOWNHOUSESide B runout, variant 1
V2173 A2 TOWNHOUSESide A runout, variant 2
V2173 B2 TOWNHOUSESide B runout, variant 2
V1273 A2 TOWNHOUSERunout Side A variant 1
V1273 A3 TOWNHOUSE ARunout Side B variant 1
V1273 A2 TOWNHOUSERunout Side A variant 2
V1273 B2 TOWNHOUSERunout Side B variant 2
VR-1-1000-RE1-AS-CMP1-1Side A
VR-1-1000-RE1-BS-CMP1-1Side B
VR-1-1000 AS PW1 ST-VA - 804557-B TOWNHOUSE LONDON (PR)PSide A runout, etched [TOWNHOUSE LONDON stamped]
TOWNHOUSE LONDON ST-VA - 804558-B VR-1-1000 BS PW1(PR)PSide B runout, etched [TOWNHOUSE LONDON stamped]
2394 291Label Matrix (Sides 1 & 2)
VR-1-1000-RE1-AS-CMP1-1Runout Side A, variant 1
VR-1-1000-RE1-BS-CMP1-1-1Runout Side B, variant 1
ST-VA-804557-A @T VR-1-1000-A-1-1-1CMP TOWNHOUSE LONDONRunout Side A, variant 2
VR-1-1000-RE1-BS-CMP1-1Runout Side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Virgin L-37,434 / Virgin L 37434First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | Virgin VL 2203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Finland | Virgin V 2173First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Finland | Virgin V 2173First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Virgin 202836First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Virgin 202 836 / Virgin 202 836-320First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | Germany | Virgin 202 836 / Virgin 202 836-270LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Virgin VIL 12173First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Virgin VIP-6964First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Virgin VIP-6964First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Virgin 202 836First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Virgin 202 836First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Virgin 202 836-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Virgin V2173First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Philippines | Virgin V 4606First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe | Ape House APELP104LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australasia | Virgin OVED 83LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | Virgin V 2173LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | Virgin V 2173LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| ? | Australia | Virgin V 2173LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Virgin 70053LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK & Ireland | Virgin OVED 83LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
54 vinyl pressings of Black Sea are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1980 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Virgin V 2173, released September 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V 2173, V2173, VA 13147, VR-1-1000) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V2173 A3 TOWNHOUSE and V2173 B1 TOWNHOUSE. 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.
