Vinyl pressings
by Fancy · 1984
Chinese Eyes was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 4 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.
881 264 - 1 S 1 3 20 Z1Runout side A, variant 1
881 264 - 1 S 2 3 20 AA1Runout side B, variant 1
881 264 - 1 S 1 3 20 1 IIRunout side A, variant 2
881 264 - 1 S 2 3 20 P 1Runout side B, variant 2
881 264 - 7 S1 3 20 E 1Runout side A, variant 1
881 264 - 7 S2 3 20 C 1Runout side B, variant 1
881 264 - 7 S1 3 20 M 1Runout side A, variant 2
881 264 - 7 S2 3 20 L 1Runout side B, variant 2
881 244-1 S 1 3 20 A 1Runout side A, variant 1
881 244-1 S 2 3 20 A 1Runout side B, variant 1
881 244-1 S 1 3 20 C 1Runout side A, variant 2
881 244-1 S 2 3 20 B 1Runout side B, variant 2
P 49812 A H̶U̶B̶ STERLINGRunout side A
P 49812 B STERLINGRunout side B
P 49812 A RERunout Side A Etched
P 49812 B RERunout Side B Etched
STERLINGRunout Side A & 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Germany | Metronome 881 264-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Metronome 881 264-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Metronome 881 264-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Misprint |
| 1984 | Italy | Baby Records BR 54054First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Scandinavia | Mega Records MRCS 2007First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Personal Records P49812First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Personal Records PRO 69802 / Personal Records p-49812First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Personal Records P4981212", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | US | Personal Records P49812First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Personal Records P49812First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | France | Jonathan ATO 12-2704912" | 12" |
| 1985 | France | Jonathan ATO 270497", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Mexico | Musart Trébol TI - 70917 / Musart Trébol TI 7091712", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Portugal | Metronome 881 264-112", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | South Africa | Principal Records RSX 14012", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Germany | ZYX Music MAXI 1167-1212", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Germany | Polydor 060247816845110", EP, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 10", EP, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Metronome 885 526-112", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
25 vinyl pressings of Chinese Eyes are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1984 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Germany, US, Italy, Scandinavia. One of them is Metronome 881 264-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 881 264-1, 881 264-7, P49812, PRO 69802) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 881 264 - 1 S 1 3 20 Z1 and 881 264 - 1 S 2 3 20 AA1. 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.
