At the bottom of Virgin pages you'll find that I've added a guide to identifying when different UK Virgin LP pressings existed, with notes on the ranges of originals, picture links, etc.
This guide is by no means complete, and I'm after any further fine tuning and help that anyone can offer.
Take a look at the guide. Anyone that can help, please discuss here. Exact order of label versions 5/6/7 needs to be established for starters (although I think I've got it right). Certain releases I know for definite as I bought them when they were released!
I left a comment on Edgar Froese - Aqua which you established as the first edition, but I don't know if you'll get the notification, so I'll repost it here:
My copy matches everything about this except one thing: it says "printed in england by the e. j. day group, london and bedford". This is in Optima typeface like the rest of the credits, whereas the edition printed by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. uses a typeface which doesn't match. For that reason, I suspect Garrod & Lofthouse printed copies came slightly later.
FWIW, Matrices on mine are V 2016 A-1U and B-1U stamped, with PN and A or B etched, which I think indicates a first pressing. Also, the cover on my copy has a glossy laminate. What do you think?
Vinyl.Score - No, all label designs existed for specific periods, although some releases during 1975 came out in the wrong order (which confuses matters). The originals are what I am trying to establish. By establishing that we then know that issues with later label designs are represses/reissues. As to Stratosfear as far as I know the original is label version 8http://s.pixogs.com/image/R-60725-1236092235.jpeg - here I'm talking about UK pressings only (Foreign issues exist with variants of earlier labels). Also, the discography at: http://voices-in-the-net.de/stratosfear.htm is wrong (there is no: LP: V 2068; multi-coloured labels, foc).
There is a clue here though in the Voices In The Net as to establishing originals, if you can find one that's an officially stamped promotion copy!
My copy of Shamal by Gong (V 2046) has a Variant 5 label.
That makes your copy a third pressing. That's the label image we're missing on Discogs (i.e. same as Version 6 but green), so maybe you should scan that and add your version to Discogs!
brunorepublic - Canadian pressings? No, that'd be a whole other can of worms! Just trying to establish the original UK issues, which are the most collectable.
Clogwhistle suggested I add: 1 - 6 were manufactured and distributed by EMI (with the help of Island Records for the earliest releases) and Variants 7 onwards (until...?) were manufactured and distributed by CBS.
Anyone out there know more specific details?
