Vinyl pressings
by Eric Stewart · 1980
Girls was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 8 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 5032 A//3▽ESTR 1/2.TECHNICS STRAWBERRY 11.Runout side A stamped / etched
POLD 5032 B//1▽ESTR 1/2 TECHNICS. STRAWBERRY 11Runout side B stamped / etched
MPF-1309A A-1-2 E0 STRAWBERRY ½ TECHNICSA Runout
MPF-1309B A-1-3 STRAWBERRY ½ TECHNICSB Runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | France | Polydor 2442 172First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Polydor 2383 571First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Polydor 2383 571First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Polydor 2442 172First yearLP | LP |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2383 571 / Polydor 2383.571First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Polydor 23 83 571First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Polydor POLD 5032 / Polydor 2383 571First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Polydor 2442 172LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Japan | Polydor MPF 1309First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Polydor MPF1309First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Polydor MPF1309First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of Girls are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Japan, France, Germany and more. One of them is Polydor POLD 5032, released April 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLD 5032, MPF 1309, MPF1309, 2442 172) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLD 5032 A//3▽ESTR 1/2.TECHNICS STRAWBERRY 11. and POLD 5032 B//1▽ESTR 1/2 TECHNICS. STRAWBERRY 11. 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.
