Vinyl pressings
by Godley & Creme · 1981
Under Your Thumb 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.
16 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 9 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 322 A // 2 ▽ E STR 11 STRAWBERRY 24Run-out, side A, stamped variant 1
POSP 322 B // 2 ▽ E STR 12 STRAWBERRY 13Run-out, side B, stamped variant 1
POSP 322 A // 2 ▽ E STR 12 STRAWBERRY 12Run-out, side A, stamped variant 2
POSP 322 B // 2 ▽ E STR 12 STRAWBERRY 41Run-out, side B, stamped variant 2
POSP 322 A // 2 ▽ E STR STRAWBERRYSide A runout
POSP 322 B // 2 ▽ E STR STRAWBERRYSide B runout
POSP 322 A//2▽ESTR 1 1 STRAWBERRY 6Runout side A, variant 1
POSP 322 B//2▽ESTR 1 1 3 STRAWBERRYRunout side B, variant 1
POSP 322 A//2▽ESTR 1 1 STRAWBERRY 1Runout side A, variant 2
POSP 322 B//2▽ESTR 1 1 STRAWBERRY 5Runout side B, variant 2
603 POSP 322 A POLYGRAM STRAWBERRYA-side runout
603 POSP 322 B POLYGRAM STRAWBERRYB-side runout
POSP- 322-A S.M. STRAWBERRY LYN-10114-1SMSide A
POSP-322-B S.M. ‧STRAWBERRY‧ LYN-10115-1SMSide B
POSP 322 A // 2 ∇ 420 WRun-out Side A
POSP 322 B // 1 ∇ 420 WRun-out Side B
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 2059 397First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Austria | Polydor 2059 397First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Belgium | Polydor 2059 397First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Belgium | Polydor 2059 397First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2059 397First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | Polydor 2059 397First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2059 397First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Portugal | Polydor 2059 464First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Spain | Polydor 20 59 397First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 322First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 322First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 322First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 322First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 322First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 322First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Ireland | Polydor POSP 3227", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
17 vinyl pressings of Under Your Thumb are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, Austria, Belgium and more. One of them is Polydor POSP 322, released September 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSP 322, 2059 397, 2059 464, 20 59 397) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSP 322 A // 2 ▽ E STR 11 STRAWBERRY 24 and POSP 322 B // 2 ▽ E STR 12 STRAWBERRY 13. 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.
