Vinyl pressings
by Freddy Quinn · 1959
Die Gitarre Und Das Meer was first pressed on vinyl in 1959. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1959, 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.
23 881 A IV 2 3 8 8 1 ARunout side A, variant 1
23 881 B II 2 3 8 8 1 BRunout side B, variant 1
23 881 A III △Made in Germany△ 2 3 8 8 1 A A 9 B KRunout side A, variant 2
23 881 B IV △Made in Germany△ 2 3 8 8 1 A A 9 G MRunout side B, variant 2
23 881 A V △Made in Germany△ 2 3 8 8 1 A A 9 A PRunout side A, variant 1
23 881 B III △Made in Germany△ 2 3 8 8 1 B A 9 A NRunout side B, variant 1
23 881 A II △Made in Germany△ 2 3 8 8 1 A A 9 ERunout side A, variant 2
23 881 B △Made in Germany△ 2 3 8 8 1 B A 9 DRunout side B, variant 2
23 881 A V △Made in Germany△ 2 3 8 8 1 A A 9 A PRunout side A, variant 1
23 881 B III △Made in Germany△ 2 3 8 8 1 B A 9 A NRunout side B, variant 1
23 881 A II △Made in Germany△ 2 3 8 8 1 A A 9 ERunout side A, variant 2
23 881 B △Made in Germany△ 2 3 8 8 1 B A 9 DRunout side B, variant 2
23 881 A IV Made in Germany 2 3 8 8 1 A A 9 I ERunout side A
23 881 B III Made in Germany 2 3 8 8 1 B A 9 I ORunout side B
45 DGG23881A 1A-Side/stamped
45 DGG23881B 3B-Side/stamped
DGG-23 881 ALabel A-Side
DGG-23 881 B✤Label B-Side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Denmark | Polydor NH 23881First year7" | 7" |
| 1959 | Germany | Polydor 23 881First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Germany | Polydor 23 881First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Germany | Polydor 23 881First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Germany | Polydor 23 881First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Japan | Polydor DP-1153First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | US | Decca 9-30931First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Mexico | Polydor 0 2997", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Austria | Polydor 23 8817", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Canada | Decca 9-309317", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Denmark | Polydor 238817", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Denmark | Polydor 238817", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Denmark | Polydor 238817", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 23 8817", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Decca 9-309317", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
15 vinyl pressings of Die Gitarre Und Das Meer are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1959 and 1960.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in Germany, US, Denmark, Japan. One of them is Polydor 23 881.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 23 881, 9-30931, NH 23881, DP-1153) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 23 881 A IV 2 3 8 8 1 A and 23 881 B II 2 3 8 8 1 B. 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.
