Vinyl pressings
by Ian Gomm · 1980
What A Blow was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, the album's first year, in 7 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.
DAI 5 A//1▽E MSTR 11 1 STRAWBERRYSide A runout - variant 1
DAI 5 B//1▽E STR 4 1 STRAWBERRYSide B runout - variant 1
DAI 5 A//1▽E MSTR 11 1 STRAWBERRYSide A runout - variant 2
DAI 5 B//1▽E STR 1 1 STRAWBERRYSide B runout - variant 2
202230 A-1/80S Made in GermanyRunout side A
202230 B-1/80S Made in GermanyRunout side B
S 202.230 ALabel side A
S 202.230 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Stiff-Epic JE 36433First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Albion Records 202 230 / Albion Records 202 230-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Albion Records LP 3323First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Victor VIP-6739First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Victor VIP-6739First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Albion Records 202.230 / Ariola 202.230First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Albion Records DAI 5First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Albion Records ALB 102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Stiff-Epic JE 36433LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Stiff-Epic JE 36433LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Stiff-Epic JE 36433LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Germany | Albion Records ALLP 4.00033 / Line ALLP 4.00033 JLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
12 vinyl pressings of What A Blow are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1980 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Canada, Germany, Italy and more. One of them is Albion Records ALB 102.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ALB 102, JE 36433, 202 230, LP 3323) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DAI 5 A//1▽E MSTR 11 1 STRAWBERRY and DAI 5 B//1▽E STR 4 1 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.
