Vinyl pressings
by His Holiness Pope John Paul II · 1978
Papst Johannes Paul II was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 3 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.
HR3S-2287A-2 GSLP 1303 A2Runout side A, variant 1
HR3S-2287B-2 GSLP 1303 B2Runout side B, variant 1
HR3S-2287A-1 GSLP 1303 A1Runout side A, variant 2
HR3S-2287B-2 GSLP 1303 B2Runout side B, variant 2
HR35-2287A-2 GSLP 1303 A2Side A etched
HR35-2287B-2 GSLP 1303 B2Side B etched
HR35-2287A-2 GSLP 1303 A2Side A etched
HR35-2287B-2 GSLP 1303 B2Side B etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | France | Gateway Records GSLP 1303First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Music World MALPS 514First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | US | Gateway Records GSLP 1303First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Gateway Records GSLP 1303First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | US | Gateway Records GSLP 1303First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Gateway Records GSLP 1303First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Bolivia | Gateway Records GSLP-1303LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | CID CID 8033LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Disques Total DT-22027LP | LP |
| 1979 | Germany | Bellaphon BBS 25115LP | LP |
10 vinyl pressings of Papst Johannes Paul II are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, France, New Zealand. One of them is Gateway Records GSLP 1303.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GSLP 1303, MALPS 514) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HR3S-2287A-2 GSLP 1303 A2 and HR3S-2287B-2 GSLP 1303 B2. 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.
