The Dreaming - UK 7" Single: Reissue

The reissue sleeve is identical to the first issue. The record labels are also identical to the first issue. However, the reissue single does not have any inscription in the run off vinyl.

This reissue is also found in the Single File box set.

The Dreaming - UK 7" Single: First Issue

First and reissue sleeves are both made of paper and virtually identical to each other.

The record labels on first and reissue sleeves are pretty much identical as well. The only way to tell the vinyls apart is through the first issue release. The run off on Side A has the inscription "For Rolf", which is a nod to Rolf Harris for playing the didgeridoo on the track. Reissue vinyl will not have this inscription.

I've also got a photo here that shows the inscription as it happens to be another one that was etched fairly largely into the vinyl, so it's pretty easy to capture with a camera.

Sat In Your Lap - UK 7" Single: Reissue

Reissue sleeves are paper, but are also identical to first issue picture sleeves.

Record labels are paper and also identical to first issue vinyl labels. However, reissues do not have any inscriptions in the run off vinyl on either side.

This reissue can also be found in the Single File box set.

Sat In Your Lap - UK 7" Single: First Issue

First issue picture sleeves are paper, and virtually identical to reissue sleeves.

The paper labels on first issue and reissue vinyl are virtually identical as well. The only way to tell them apart is by looking at the dead vinyl on first issue records. The A Side will have the inscription "Well Done J.B. 1st Dan", and the B Side will have the inscription "Thank You Donovan". Reissue vinyl does not have these inscriptions.

These are probably some of the easiest vinyl inscriptions to show you as the etching was done so largely and all in upper case lettering.

Army Dreamers - UK 7" Single: Reissue

First issue and reissue sleeves are virtually identical to each other. People sometimes think the cut of the sleeves are an indication of whether or not it's a first issue or reissue sleeve, such as the partial cutting off of the thumbtack edges - but that means absolutely nothing. It's just the way the sleeve is cut and nothing more.

The record labels are exactly the same on both the first issue and the reissue, and the only thing that sets them apart is that the first issue has an inscription which you won't find on the reissue.

This reissue is also found in the Single File box set.

Army Dreamers - UK 7" Single: First Issue

When it comes to the first issue and the reissue releases for Army Dreamers, it's a little more difficult to tell these two apart. Both sleeves are virtually identical, so you really need to look at the vinyl in order to discover what you've got.

First issue vinyl releases will have the inscription "Life Is To Love" etched into the run off vinyl on Side A. Reissues don't have this inscription.

Babooshka - UK 7" Single: Reissue

The colour printing on this sleeve is inferior to the first issue. It's lighter and more noticeably washed out, especially on the back portion of the sleeve. On the back of the sleeve, the opening is a small circular cut-out, which is more rectangular in shape on the first issue. The folds of the sleeve run straight down to the bottom edge, whereas on the first issue they have angled cuts. Also, the fold on the right obscures the very tip of Kate's guitar, which is not the case on the first issue.

As the records are virtually identical to each other, you can really only tell them apart by the number of indented rings on the record label. If you pay close attention to the whole label, you will see what I'm talking about. On the first issue there are three indented rings. One is located on the outer perimeter of the punch out hole, the second (and more prominent one) is located at the inner part of the main portion of the label (closest to the punch out hole) and the last one is located at the outer edge of the label. The reissue only has one indented ring, which is located at the outer perimeter of the punch out hole. This is pretty much the only way you can identify the reissue from the first issue.

This reissue is also found in the Single File box set.

Babooshka - UK 7" Single: First Issue

I probably should have waited until I found my better copy of the first issue, but since I have no idea where I've poked it at the moment, this copy is good enough.

Babooshka really is one of those singles where it gets more tricky trying to figure out the first issue from the reissue because they're almost indistinguishable from one another. It's further complicated by the fact that both releases were issued in paper sleeves, and the first issue release doesn't have an inscription on the run off vinyl at all.

Telling both releases apart mainly lies in the sleeves. If you take a look at the first issue back sleeve, there are three main things to look at. The first one is the opening of the sleeve. It has a sort of long rectangular shaped opening with curved edges, whereas on the reissue it's a smaller circular cut-out. The next thing you need to look at are the folds of the sleeve. On the bottom of the first issue, these folds have angled cuts, but on the reissue there are no cuts. The reissue folds run straight down to the bottom edge. The final thing you need to look at is the very tip of the guitar that Kate is holding. On the first issue there's a very clear space between it and the fold. However, on the reissue, the very tip of the guitar is obscured by the fold.

It's also important to note that there is a significant colour difference between the sleeves. The first issue sleeve has darker, richer colour, and the reissue has a much lighter printing.

As for the records, it's near impossible to tell them apart - but there is a way. It's easy enough to miss if you aren't looking for it, so you need to look at the full record label to see it. Either side will do. If you pay close attention to the whole label, you will see there are three indented rings. One is located on the outer perimeter of the punch out hole, the second (and more prominent one) is located at the inner part of the main portion of the label (closest to the punch out hole) and the last one is located at the outer edge of the label. The reissue only has one indented ring, which is located at the outer perimeter of the punch out hole.

December Will Be Magic Again - UK 7" Single: Reissue

The reissue is fairly identical to the first issue, except for two major differences. On the back of the sleeve, additional single credits are spread out along the bottom and partially obscured by the sleeve's fold. On the first issue these credits are neatly placed underneath the credits for Warm and Soothing.

The reissue record also has no inscription on the A Side.

This reissue can also be found in the Single File box set.

December Will Be Magic Again - UK 7" Single: First Issue

It can be a little more tricky trying to identify the differences between the first issue and the reissue as both are nearly identical, including the fact that both pictures sleeve are paper ones.

There are really only two major differences between both releases and the first one can be found on the back of the sleeve. If you take a look underneath the song credits for Warm and Soothing, you will see that additional credits are neatly placed underneath it. On the reissue these credits are widely spread out along the bottom of the sleeve, and some are partially obscured by the fold of the sleeve.

The other difference lies within the vinyl. First issue releases have the inscription "Happy Christmas" etched into the run off area on Side A. Reissues don't have this inscription.

Breathing - UK 7" Single: Reissue

The reissue sleeve is paper, and that's about the only difference between it and the first issue sleeve.

The reissue record has only one of the two inscriptions that are etched into the first issue vinyl, and in some cases not even that.

The reissue is also found in the Single File box set.

Breathing - UK 7" Single: First Issue

There's only one difference between the first issue and reissue sleeves. The first issue sleeve is a thick card sleeve, the reissue is not. Everything else is pretty much the same, including the sleeve's opening on the back and the rounded edges on the folds.

The other major difference is on the records. The first issue vinyl has two inscriptions on it - one for each side. The A Side reads "We All Share The Same Air", and the B Side reads "Happy Anniversary To The P's". The reissue only has the Side A inscription on it, and in some cases not even that.