Vinyl pressings
by Aneka · 1981
Japanese Boy was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
45 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 18 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.
103349 A-1/81S I Made in GermanyRunout side A
103349 B-3/81S I II Made in GermanyRunout side B
S 103 349 ALabel side A
S 103 349 BLabel side B
600441 A-1/81S IRunout side A
600441 B-1/81S IRunout side B
S 600 441 ALabel side A
S 600 441 BLabel side B
D 103349 A-1/81S I Made in GermanyRunout A, stamped/etched, var. 1
D 103349 B-3/81S I Made in GermanyRunout B, stamped/etched, var. 1
D 103349 A-1/81S I Made in GermanyRunout A, stamped/etched, var. 2
D 103349 B-3/81S I IV. Made in GermanyRunout B, stamped/etched, var. 2
103349 A-1/81S I II. Made in GermanyRunout A, stamped/etched
103349 B-3/81S I Made in GermanyRunout B, stamped/etched
103349 A-1/81S I Made in Germany 012Runout A Variant 2, stamped/etched
103349 B-4/81S I Made in Germany 012Runout B Variant 2, stamped/etched
S 103.349 ASide A
S 103 349 BSide B
NL 103349 A-1/81S I Made in GermanyRunout A, stamped/etched
D 103349 B-3/81S I Made in GermanyRunout B, stamped/etched
HANSA 5 A-1 [Utopia lyre symbol] SA 2Runout A side
HANSA 5 B-1 [Utopia lyre symbol] 2Runout B side
HANSA 5-ALabel A side
HANSA 5-BLabel B side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | RCA Victor 103890First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Austria | Hansa 103349First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Brazil | Ariola 103 349First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Hansa AHAD 104First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Hansa HANSA 5XFirst year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | El Salvador | RCA CA 11244First year7", Single, Misprint · Colored vinyl | 7", Single, Misprint · Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | France | Barclay 100 163First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Barclay 100 163First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Barclay 100 163First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Hansa International 600 441 / Hansa 600 441First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | Hansa 103 349 / Hansa 103 349 - 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Hansa 103 349 / Hansa 103 349 - 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Hansa 103 349 / Hansa 103 349 - 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Hansa HANSA 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Italy | VIP VIP 10350 / Hansa VIP 10350First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
46 vinyl pressings of Japanese Boy are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Germany, UK, US, Netherlands and more. One of them is Hansa 103 349, released May 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 103 349, 600 441, HANSA 5, 4W9 02623) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 103349 A-1/81S I Made in Germany and 103349 B-3/81S I II Made in Germany. 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.
