Vinyl pressings
by Double · 1985
Blue was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
R. SO. 827 235-1S1 DC 3Runout area side A, Variant 1
R. SO. 827 235-1S2 AU 2Runout area side B, Variant 1
R.SO. 827 235-1S1 2A V 0Runout area side A, Variant 2
R.SO. 827 235-1S2 2 V XRunout area side B, Variant 2
827 235 - 1 S 1 R.SO. BRunout side A, variant 1
827 235 - 1 S 2 R.SO. BRunout side B, variant 1
827 235 - 1 S 1 R.SO. AB 1BRunout side A, variant 2
827 235 - 1 S 2 R.SO. Y 2Runout side B, variant 2
R. SO. 827 235-1S1 A T 1 BRunout A
R. SO. 827 235-1S2 1 A A TRunout B
827 235-1S.1Label A
827 235-1S. 2Label B
POLD 5187 A//1▽420W 12 4 PHIL
POLD 5187 B//1▽420W 11 4 PHIL
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Canada | Polydor POLR 2010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Polydor POLR 2010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | France | Polydor 827 738-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Polydor 827 738-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Metronome 827 235-1 / Metronome 827 235-1 MEFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | Polydor 827 738-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | Polydor 827 235-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | Polydor 827 738-1LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Ireland | Polydor 827 738-1 / Polydor POLD 5187First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Israel | Polydor 827 738-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Polydor 827 738-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Philippines | Polydor LP-827 738-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Portugal | Polydor 827 738-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | South Korea | Polydor 827 738-1 / Sung Eum Limited SEL-RG 881First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Spain | Polydor 827 738-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
31 vinyl pressings of Blue are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Germany, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Polydor 827 738-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 827 738-1, 827 235-1, POLD 5187, POLR 2010) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R. SO. 827 235-1S1 DC 3 and R. SO. 827 235-1S2 AU 2. 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.
