Vinyl pressings
by Ian Dury · 1981
Spasticus Autisticus 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.
22 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 15 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.
603 POSPX 285 A DM POLYGRAM A1 JONZSide A runout
603 POSPX 285 B DM POLYGRAM A4 SOUND CLINICSide B runout
POSPX 285 1Side A label
POSPX 285 2Side B label
08-10657-1A-1 JONZ ARunout, side A
08-10657-1B-1 / A SOUND CLINICRunout, side B
08-10657-2A-1 A JONZRunout, side A
08-10657-2B-1 / A SOUND CLINICRunout, side B
603 POSPX 285 A DM POLYGRAM A4 JONZSide A
603 POSPX 285 B DM POLYGRAM A3 SOUND CLINICSide B
POSPX 285 A//1 ▽ ESC \ 1JONZSide A
DURX 1 A//1 ▽EU1 1 1 1 SOUND CLINICSide 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 | Australasia | Polydor 2141 399First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Australia | Polydor 2059 372First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | Polydor PDSX 2173First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1981 | France | Polydor 2059 372First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2059 372First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Guatemala | Polydor 2059 372First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 258First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Italy | Polydor 2059 372First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2141 399First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2059 372First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Polydor 2059 372First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Norway | Polydor 2059 372First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Portugal | Polydor 2059 372First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Spain | Polydor 20 59 372First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Spain | Polydor 21 41 399First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
23 vinyl pressings of Spasticus Autisticus are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Japan, Australasia, Australia and more. One of them is Polydor POSP X 285, released May 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSP X 285, POSP 285, DURX 1, 7DM0034) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 603 POSPX 285 A DM POLYGRAM A1 JONZ and 603 POSPX 285 B DM POLYGRAM A4 SOUND CLINIC. 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.
