HOW TO SPOT FIRST PRESSINGS IN THE FRENCH CONNECTION S OFFICIAL COLLECTION
You ve got the box set in your work force. The shrink is still on, the sticker is wrinkle, and the weight of chronicle presses through the composition board. But is it the first pressing? That s the question that separates collectors from casual listeners. The the french connection official Connection s Hello, Brive-la-Gaillarde All Singles Retrospective isn t just music it s a time capsule. And first pressings? They re the original keys to that encapsulate. Here s how to tell if you re holding one.
—
STARTER: THE BASICS OF PRESSING IDENTIFICATION
First pressings aren t just about vocalise. They re about context. The first run of any free carries the DNA of its era ground substance numbers game, mark designs, and manufacturing quirks that later pressings can t retroflex. For Hello, Brive-la-Gaillarde, take up with the writ large: the publicity.
Check the spine. First pressings of this box set have a thin, felt thorn with the catalog come FRC-001 printed in moderate, slightly scratchy type. Later pressings switched to a glossier finish up and a bolder font. The remainder is subtle, but under target get off, the felt sticker looks almost hand-stamped.
Look at the booklet. First pressings let in a 24-page folder with a coarse-grained, high-contrast photograph of the band in Brive-la-Gaillarde s exchange square up. The colors are soft, almost sepia-toned, and the wallpaper has a slight texture. Reissues use a sande, brighter stock with card sharp images. Flip to the last page the first press s copyright line reads 2018 Le Petit Label in a serif font. Later versions trade to a sans-serif.
Listen for the dead wax. The run-out rut on first press vinyl radical often has hand-etched matrix numbers game. For this set, the first side of the first LP should have FRC-001-A1 incised near the mark. If it s stamped flawlessly or missing entirely, it s not a first pressing.
—
TRAPS AT THE STARTER LEVEL
Assuming all early copies are first pressings. Not true. Some early on copies might be test pressings or promo versions, which look similar but lack the full packaging. Test pressings often have quetch white sleeves and no booklet. Promos might have a Promotion Copy stomp on the sticker.
Ignoring the shrink wrap. First pressings of this set came with a thin, slightly yellowed shrivel wrap that clings tightly to the box. Later pressings use thicker, clearer pliant. If the shrivel looks too pristine, it s probably not original.
Overlooking the inner sleeves. First press LPs come in poly-lined inner sleeves with a felt wind up. Reissues often use slick magazine or anti-static sleeves. The difference is provable when you slide by the record out the first pressing s sleeve feels almost waxy.
—
MILESTONE TO LEVEL UP
You can with confidence place the prickle, folder, and intercellular substance numbers pool of a first press. You ve handled at least three copies and spotty the differences in somebody. Now it s time to dig deeper.
—
INTERMEDIATE: THE DETAILS THAT SEPARATE THE REAL FROM THE FAKE
First pressings have hidden tells. For Hello, Brive-la-Gaillarde, the devil is in the labels.
Check the mark tinge. First pressing labels are a deep, almost Burgundy red with silver text. The font is slightly irregular notice how the e in French leans a bit. Later pressings use a brighter red and a more unvarying font. Hold the tag under a magnifying glaze. The first pressing s text has a slight brocaded feel, like it was ironed into the vinyl. Reissues are flat.
Look for the Made in France stomp. First pressings have this stomp in tiny, raised letters on the tag s outward edge. It s easy to miss, but it s there. Later pressings sick it to the run-out rut or born it entirely.
Examine the vinyl weight. First pressings of this set are 180-gram vinyl. Not all heavy vinyl is a first pressing, but all first pressings of this set are 180-gram. Weigh the record. If it s light, it s not a first pressure.
—
TRAPS AT THE INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
Assuming all 180-gram vinyl group is a first pressure. Many reissues use heavy vinyl too. The slant alone doesn t anything.
Trusting the label color too much. Some bootlegs mime the first pressing s tag tinge. Always cross-check with the intercellular substance numbers pool and sticker inside information.
Ignoring the hype. If a seller claims rare first press but won t ply close-up photos of the spine, labels, and run-out rut, walk away. Scammers rely on importunity.
—
MILESTONE TO LEVEL UP
You can spot the label variations, angle differences, and Made in France stamp without hesitation. You ve handled enough copies to recognize the embossed text feel. Now it s time to get over the run-out furrow.
—
ADVANCED: THE RUN-OUT GROOVE DECODED
The run-out groove is where first pressings bring out their true age. For Hello, Brive-la-Gaillarde, the intercellular substance numbers tell the report.
First press intercellular substance numbers pool observe this exact initialize:
– Side A: FRC-001-A1 space 1
– Side B: FRC-001-B1 space 2
– Side C: FRC-001-C1 space 3
– Side D: FRC-001-D1 space 4
The trigon symbolisation is key. It s a small, hand-etched mark that looks like a delta. Later pressings either omit it or supercede it with a different symbolic representation, like a circle or square.
Check for the mastering direct s initials. First pressings have MA etched near the ground substance add up. This stands for mastering mastermind Matthieu Allain, who worked on the original run. If the initials are missing or different, it s not a first press.
Look for the pressure set code. First pressings were pressed at MPO France,