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.
7 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 6 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.
204344 A - 1/81S I II Made in GermanyRunout side A Variant 1
204344 B - 1/81S I Made in GermanyRunout side B Variant 1
204344 A - 2/81S I Made in GermanyRunout side A Variant 2
204344 B - 2/81S I Made in GermanyRunout side B Variant 2
222 200336 A DA POLYGRAM A1Side A
222 200336 B DA POLYGRAM A2Side B
HANLP-3-A-1 PR066 TimTom-cbsSide A runout
HANLP-3-B-1 PR066 Ty-cbsSide B runout
204.344-ARunouts side A
204.344-BRunouts side B
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 | France | Hansa 200 336 / Barclay 200 336First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Ireland | Ariola Hansa HANLP 3First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Hansa 204.344First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Hansa 204 344 / Hansa International 204 344-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Portugal | Hansa 5204 344First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Hansa HANLP 3First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | Hansa 204 344 / Hansa International 204 344-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Hansa International 015/915108 / Hansa International 91 510 8LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1982 | Canada | Hansa HA 5507LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Hansa HA 5507LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | Music-Box M. BOX 40159 / Music-Box SMB 40159LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Italy | VIP VIP 20295 / Hansa VIP 20295LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Mexico | Hansa International LA-462 / Hansa 204 344-320LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | Hansa 204 344LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Spain | Ariola I-204.344 / Hansa I-204.344LP, Album | LP, Album |
15 vinyl pressings of Japanese Boy are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Europe, UK, France, Ireland and more. One of them is Hansa 204 344, released October 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 204 344, HANLP 3, 200 336, 204.344) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 204344 A - 1/81S I II Made in Germany and 204344 B - 1/81S I 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.
