ULTIMA THULE / COLLECTOR'S
INFO / VIRGIN
Identifying UK Virgin LP pressings
Label version 1 used in 1973...
black & white original Roger Dean design (twin virgins and lizard)
originals: V 2001 - V 2007 and V 2011
double: VD 2501
also: VC 503 "The Front Line" added a copyright message
Label version 2 used in (late 1973? to) 1974...
colour version of original Roger Dean design (twin virgins and lizard)
originals: V 2008 - V 2010 and V 2012 - V 2023
Label version 3 used in (late 1974? to) early 1975...
colour version of original Roger Dean design (twin virgins and lizard)
with copyright message
originals: V 2024 - V 2039 + V 2041, V 2042, V 2043, V 2045 & V 2046 1st
press
pre-release copies of V 2043 only, as release day copies had label version 4
double: VD 2502
Label version 4 used mid to December 1975...
faun/tan label with mauve print twin Virgins logo
originals: V 2040, V 2044, V 2047 - V 20??
Label version 5 used December 1975 to early 1976...
green label with twin Virgins logo, white border
originals: V 20?? - V 2050
An example 1976 repress of Tubular Bells
Label version 6 used early-mid 1976...
red label with twin Virgins logo, white border
originals: V 2051 - V 2060
Label version 7 used ? 1976...
red label with twin Virgins logo, no border
originals: V 2061 - V 2065
Label version 8 used late 1976 to early 1978...
green label with twin Virgins logo, no border
originals: V 2066 - V 2099
double: VD 2503 - VD 2508
Label version 9 used late 1977 to mid 1978...
blue labels with double Virgin flash (mostly punk releases and singles)
originals: V 2100 - V 2109?
Label version 10 used late 1978 to 198?...
green A label / red B label
originals: V 2117? - V 2???
double: VD 2509
Label version 11 used 1987+...
grey label, same design both sides
commonly used on later OVED reissues
Label version 12 used 1988+...
grey label
also used for Italian OVED and MPIT LP issues
From 1978 many Virgin releases had special labels for the first pressing,
often reverting to Label version 10 on further pressings and reissues.
Caroline used 1973–1976...
Other useful references...
25 May 1973, 1st 4 releases: Mike Oldfield "Tubular Bells", Gong
"Flying Teapot", "Manor Live" and Faust "The Faust
Tapes" (no printed by or manufacturing info on first pressings, 130
Notting Hill Gate, W. 11 address)
1973+ Printed in England by the E. J. Day Group, London and Bedford
1975+ Printed & made by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd
1976+ Printed in England by Robor Limited
1973: 130 Notting Hill Gate, W. 11
1974: Vernon Yard, 119 Portobello Road, London W11
1973+ Distributed by Island and E.M.I.
1976+ Manufactured and distributed by EMI (Distribution was by Anchor for a
short period)
September 1976+ Manufactured and distributed by CBS.
198?+ Manufactured and distributed by EMI
original UK CD pressings
1984 issues: pressed by MPO in France, no barcode
1986 issues: pressed by Nimbus, with barcode (some are prone to
bronzing/oxidising)
1987 issues: pressed by Nimbus, with barcode
1988+ ? (further info welcome)
A revised version of this page will appear as part of a Virgin Records pdf supplement with Audion 78.
Any
comments/corrections on this page, then email me! Alan Freeman: utle2uk@btconnect.com