Vinyl pressings
by Barclay James Harvest · 1978
XII was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 11 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.
POLD 5006 A//1 STR 1 1 11 STRAWBERRY.Runout, side A, (Variant 1)
POLD 5006 B//2 STR 1 2 1 0 STRAWBERRY.Runout, side B, (Variant 1)
POLD 5006 A//1 STR 1 1 10 STRAWBERRY.Runout, side A, (Variant 2)
POLD 5006 B//2 STR 1 3 5 STRAWBERRY.Runout, side B, (Variant 2)
PD-1- 6173- A BW-1 STERLINGSide A runout
PD-1- 6173-B BW-1 STERLINGSide B runout
Intl. #2442 153Side A & B labels, back cover
PD-1-6173-AS-MW MR △23804 ③Side A runout
PD-1-6173-BS-MW MR △23804-X ③Side B runout
PD-1-6173-ASide A label
PD-1-6173-BSide B label
PD-1-6173-A BW-1 STERLINGSide A Runout
PD-1-6173-B BW-1 STERLINGSide B Runout
PD-1-6173-AS-MW MR △23804 ③Side A runout
PD-1-6173-BS-MW MR △23804-X ③Side B runout
PD-1-6173-ASide A label
PD-1-6173-BSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Austria | Polydor 2460 282First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6173First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Polydor 2442 153First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | Polydor 2442 153First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Polydor 2442 153First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Germany | Polydor 2460 282LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Polydor 34 945 6LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1978 | Germany | Polydor 27 234-4First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Polydor 2460 282LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1978 | Germany | Polydor 2460 282LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1978 | Greece | Polydor 2383 526First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Portugal | Polydor 2383 526First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Portugal | Polydor 2383 526First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2460 282First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2460 282First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | South Korea | Polydor 2460 282 / Sung Eum Limited SEL-RG-808LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Germany | Polydor 2460 282LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Polydor 2442 153LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 27 234-4LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
32 vinyl pressings of XII are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1978 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Polydor POLD 5006.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLD 5006, PD-1-6173, 2460 282, 2442 153) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLD 5006 A//1 STR 1 1 11 STRAWBERRY. and POLD 5006 B//2 STR 1 2 1 0 STRAWBERRY.. 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.
