Vinyl pressings
by Godley & Creme · 1984
Golden Boy 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.
8 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.
POSP 677 A//1▽420 M MEL/ctsRunout side A, stamped / etched, variant 1
POSP 677 B//1▽420M MEL/ctsRunout side B, stamped / etched, variant 1
P O SP 677 A//1▽420 M 1 1 1 MELY /ctsRunout side A, stamped / etched, variant 2
POSP 677 B//1▽420M 1 1 3 MEL/ctsRunout side B, stamped / etched, variant 2
POSX 677 A//1▽420 M L 1 1 MEL\CtSRunout Side A
POSX 677 B//2▽420WRunout Side B
POSX 677 A // 1∇420 M MEL / CtSSide A runout
POSX 677 B // 1∇420 MSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Polydor 821 071-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | Polydor 821 071-1 / Polydor 821 071-1 YFirst year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Portugal | Polydor 821 071-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Polydor POSPX 677First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | UK | Polydor POSPX 677First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Polydor POSPX 677First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Polydor POSP 677First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | Polydor 821 071-7 YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | US | Polydor PRO 385-112", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | New Zealand | Polydor 821 071-77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Golden Boy are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Germany, Australia, Portugal. One of them is Polydor POSP 677, released May 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSP 677, POSPX 677, 821 071-7 Y, 821 071-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSP 677 A//1▽420 M MEL/cts and POSP 677 B//1▽420M MEL/cts. 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.
