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Plastic Letters by Blondie, album cover

Vinyl pressings

Plastic Letters

by Blondie · 1977

59 pressings23 countriesNew WavePunkRock & RollPower Pop

Plastic Letters was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.

How to spot a first pressing of Plastic Letters

2 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year. 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.

Japan

December 25, 1977
Label and catalog number
Chrysalis WWS-80963Toshiba EMI WWS-80963
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Runout / matrix

CHR-1166-A 2S 1 〄 97-Z78 9X YSide A runout, stamped

CHR-1166-B 1S 13 〄Side B runout, stamped

CHR-1166-ASide A label

CHR-1166-BSide B label

Full details of this pressing

Japan

December 25, 1977
Label and catalog number
Chrysalis WWS-80963Toshiba EMI WWS-80963
Format
LP, Album, Promo
Runout / matrix

CHR-1166-A 1S 1 〄 2-4Side A runout, stamped

CHR-1166-B 1S 5 〄Side B runout, stamped

CHR-1166-ASide A label

CHR-1166-BSide B label

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 59 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1970s35 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1977JapanChrysalis WWS-80963 / Toshiba EMI WWS-80963First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1977JapanChrysalis WWS-80963 / Toshiba EMI WWS-80963First yearLP, Album, Promo · PromoLP, Album, Promo · Promo
1978AustraliaChrysalis L 36504 / Chrysalis CHR 1166LP, AlbumLP, Album
1978AustraliaChrysalis L 36504 / Chrysalis CHR-1166LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinylLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl
1978AustraliaChrysalis L 36504LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressingLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing
1978CanadaChrysalis CHR-1166 / Chrysalis CHR 1166LP, AlbumLP, Album
1978ColombiaSonolux 05(8831)01726 / Chrysalis CHR1166LP, AlbumLP, Album
1978EuropeChrysalis 511166 / Chrysalis 51-1166LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1978FranceChrysalis 6307 617LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1978FranceChrysalis CHR 1166LP, AlbumLP, Album
1978FranceChrysalis CHR 1166LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1978FranceChrysalis 6307 617LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1978FranceChrysalis 6307 617LP, AlbumLP, Album
1978GermanyChrysalis 6307 617LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1978GreeceChrysalis 6307 617LP, AlbumLP, Album
All 35 pressings from the 1970s
1980s10 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1980EuropeChrysalis 202 632-270LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1980GermanyChrysalis 202 632 / Chrysalis 202 632-270LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1980GermanyChrysalis 202 632-320 / Chrysalis 202 632-270LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
1980SpainChrysalis CHR-1166 / Chrysalis CHR 1166LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1980SpainChrysalis CHR-1166 / Chrysalis CHR 1166LP, AlbumLP, Album
1981ItalyChrysalis CHR 1166LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
1981ItalyChrysalis CHR 1166LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · PromoLP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo
1983USChrysalis PV 41166LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1988EuropeChrysalis 202 632LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
1988EuropeChrysalis 202 632 / Chrysalis 202 632-270LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
2000s1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2008UKChrysalis CHR1166-PLP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture discLP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc
2010s3 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2015EuropeChrysalis 5355033LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
2016UKCapitol Records 53706428LP, Album, White LabelLP, Album, White Label
2016USA & EuropeCapitol Records 5370642LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture discLP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc
2020s1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2020EuropeChrysalis 5355033LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
Year unknown9 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?UnknownChrysalis CHR 1166LP, AlbumLP, Album
?CanadaChrysalis CHM 41166LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?EuropeChrysalis 202 632-320LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
?EuropeChrysalis 1C 038-3 21166 1LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
?South AfricaChrysalis ML 4185LP, AlbumLP, Album
?South KoreaChrysalis SM-CHR-105LP, AlbumLP, Album
?UKChrysalis CHR 1166 / Chrysalis CHR1166LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?UKChrysalis CHR 1166 / Chrysalis CHR1166LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
?USChrysalis CHR 1166LP, AlbumLP, Album

Tracklist

  1. A1Fan Mail2:35
  2. A2Denis2:15
  3. A3Bermuda Triangle Blues (Flight 45)2:45
  4. A4Youth Nabbed As Sniper2:56
  5. A5Contact In Red Square1:56
  6. A6(I'm Always Touched By Your) Presence, Dear2:40
  7. A7I'm On E2:12
  8. B1I Didn't Have The Nerve To Say No2:50
  9. B2Love At The Pier2:24
  10. B3No Imagination2:54
  11. B4Kidnapper2:34
  12. B5Detroit 4422:24
  13. B6Cautious Lip4:21

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Plastic Letters are there?

59 vinyl pressings of Plastic Letters are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1977 and 2020.

When was Plastic Letters first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1977, in Japan. One of them is Chrysalis WWS-80963, released December 25, 1977.

How do I tell if my copy of Plastic Letters is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WWS-80963) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHR-1166-A 2S 1 〄 97-Z78 9X Y and CHR-1166-B 1S 13 〄. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Plastic Letters on vinyl worth?

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.

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