Vinyl pressings
by Elaine Paige · 1981
Memory 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.
22 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 12 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.
POSP 279 A//1▽E TO 1 1 1 8 BILBO . TA1PESide A runout, stamped/etched variant 1
POSP 279 B//2▽E TO 1 2 3 JA TAPE ONESide B runout, stamped/etched variant 1
POSP 279 A // 2 ▽ E TO 1 3 BILBO . TA1PE 1 5Side A runout, stamped/etched variant 2
POSP 279 B // 2 ▽ E TO 1 2 1 1 JA TAPE ONESide B runout, stamped/etched variant 2
POSP 279 A POLYGRAM DM 603Runout, A-side, stamped
POSP 279 B POLYGRAM DM 603Runout, B-side, stamped
BILBO TA1PE BRunouts, etched
603 POSP 279 A POLYGRAMRunout, A-side, stamped
603 POSP 279 BDM POLYGRAMRunout, B-side, stamped
BILBO TA1PE BRunouts, etched
POSP 279 A//4 4 2 DWRunout, A-side, stamped
POSP 279 B//2 E T0 2 5Runout, B-side, 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 | Australia | Polydor 2059 364First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Polydor 2059364First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Austria | Polydor 2059 364First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | France | Polydor 2059 364First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2059 364First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2059 364First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Italy | Polydor 2059 364First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2059 364First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Portugal | Polydor 2059 364First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2059 364First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2059 364First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | South Africa | Polydor PS 1224First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Spain | Polydor 20 59 364First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 279 / Polydor 2059 364First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 279First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
24 vinyl pressings of Memory are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1981 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Ireland, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Polydor POSP 279, released June 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSP 279, POSP279, 2059 364, 2059364) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSP 279 A//1▽E TO 1 1 1 8 BILBO . TA1PE and POSP 279 B//2▽E TO 1 2 3 JA TAPE ONE. 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.
