Vinyl pressings
by Godley & Creme · 1981
Ismism 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.
19 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 11 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 5043 A // 1 ∇ E STR STRAWBERRYA-side runout, stamped - variant 1
POLD 5043 B // 1 ∇ E STR STRAWBERRYB-side runout, stamped - variant 1
POLD 5043 A // 2 ∇ E STR STRAWBERRYA-side runout, stamped - variant 2
POLD 5043 B // 1 ∇ E STR STRAWBERRYB-side runout, stamped - variant 2
POLD 5043 A//2∇E STR STRAWBERRYSide A runout, variant 1
POLD 5043 B//1∇E STR STRAWBERRYSide B runout, variant 1
POLD5043 A//2∇STR 11 3 STRAWBERRYSide A runout, variant 2
POLD5043 B//1∇E STR 11 1 STRAWBERRYSide B runout, variant 3
POLD5043 A//2∇STR 1 1 4 STRAWBERRYA-side runout, stamped - variant 1
POLD5043 B//2∇E STR 1 1 STRAWBERRY 1B-side runout, stamped - variant 1
POLD5043 A//2∇STR 1 1 1 STRAWBERRYA-side runout, stamped - variant 2
POLD5043 B//2∇E STR 1 1 STRAWBERRY 2 1B-side runout, stamped - variant 2
2383-618-A FH 10/9/1Runout (Etched) Side 1
2383-618-B FH 10/9/1Runout (Etched) Side 2
2383 618 ALabel Side 1
2383 618 BLabel Side 2
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 2383 618First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Polydor PDS-1-6328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Polydor PDS-1-6328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Polydor PDS-1-6328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Polydor 2442 193First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2383 618First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2383 618First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Polydor 2383 618First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2442 193First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Polydor 2383 618First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2442 193First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2442 193First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Polydor 23 83 618First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POLD 5043 / Polydor 2442 193First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POLD 5043First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2383 618LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | South Africa | Polydor POLY 5554 / Polydor 2383 618LP, Album | LP, Album |
24 vinyl pressings of Ismism are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Japan, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Polydor POLD 5043.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLD 5043, 28MM 0080, 2383 618, PDS-1-6328) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLD 5043 A // 1 ∇ E STR STRAWBERRY and POLD 5043 B // 1 ∇ E STR STRAWBERRY. 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.
