Vinyl pressings
by Cozy Powell · 1981
Tilt 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.
13 pressings came out in 1981, 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 5047 A//1▽EUT 11 ƱTOPIA HEY-HEY-HEYSide A, stamped/etched. Variant 1
POLD 5047 B//2▽EUT 11 ƱTOPIA GOOD EFFORTSide B, stamped/etched. Variant 1
POLD 5047 A // 2 ▽ EUT 11 4 ƱTOPIA HEY-HEY-HEYSide A, stamped/etched. Variant 2
POLD 5047 B // 2 ▽ EUT 11 2 ƱTOPIA GOOD EFFORTSide B, stamped/etched. Variant 2
PD 1-6342AS-PW (PR) STERLINGSide A runout
PD 1-6342BS-PW (PR) STERLINGSide B runout
2391 527Side A & B labels
A MX199595 2391527-1Side A, Stamped
A MX199596-B 2391527-2Side B , Stamped
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 | Australasia | Polydor 2391 527First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Polydor 2490 163First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2391 527First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Polydor POLD 5047First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Polydor 2391 527First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0074First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2490 163First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2391 527First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Polydor 23 91 527First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POLD 5047First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POLD 5047LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD-1-6342First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD-1-6342First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0074First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Polydor 2391 527LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
17 vinyl pressings of Tilt are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1981 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is Polydor POLD 5047.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLD 5047, PD-1-6342, 28MM 0074, 2391 527) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLD 5047 A//1▽EUT 11 ƱTOPIA HEY-HEY-HEY and POLD 5047 B//2▽EUT 11 ƱTOPIA GOOD EFFORT. 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.
