Vinyl pressings
by Ideal · 1981
Der Ernst Des Lebens 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.
13 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 6 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.
58400-A2- Strawberry (G) Ø ØSide A runout, etched, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 58400 B3 XXXX Strawberry (E)Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
58400-A4 ·STRAWBERRY (G)·Side A runout, etched and stamped, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 58400 B3 X STRAWBERRY (E)Side A runout, stamped and etched, variant 2
81/017 ASide A Label
81/017 BSide B Label
Øboth Sides additional Runout Etching
58400-A-XSide A Runout Variant 1
58400-BSide B Runout Variant 1
58400-A-XSide A Runout Variant 2
58400 -A-Runout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 58400 B3 STRAWBERRY (E)Runout side B, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 58400 A3 x STRAWBERRY (E)Runout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 58400 B3 xxxxx STRAWBERRY (E)Runout side B, variant 2
81/017 ALabel side A
81/017 BLabel side B
58400-A- ØRunout side A, variant 1
58400-B 3 ☓ Ø STRAWBERRY (G)Runout side B, variant 1
58400-A2 Ø STRAWBERRY (G)Runout side A, variant 3
58400-B3- STRAWBERRY (G) ØRunout side B, variant 3
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 | Austria | WEA WEA 58 459 / WEA WEA K 58 459First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Eitel Imperial WEA 58 400 / Eitel Imperial WEA K 58 400First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | WEA WEA 58 459 / WEA WEA K 58 459First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Eitel Imperial WEA 58 400 / Eitel Imperial WEA K 58 400First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Eitel Imperial WEA 58 400 / Eitel Imperial WEA K 58 400First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | WEA WEA 58 459 / WEA WEA K 58459First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | WEA WEA K 58 459 / WEA WEA 58 459First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Eitel Imperial WEA 58 400 / Eitel Imperial WEA K 58 400First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Eitel Imperial 91 792 2 / WEA 91 792 2LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1981 | Germany | Eitel Optimal WEA 58 459 / Eitel Optimal WEA K 58459First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Eitel Imperial WEA 58 400 / Eitel Imperial WEA K 58 400First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Eitel Imperial 28 391-1 / WEA 28 391-1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | Germany | Eitel Imperial WEA 58 400 / Eitel Imperial WEA K 58 400First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Eitel Optimal 91 792 2 / WEA 91 792 2LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1981 | Germany | Eitel Imperial 91 792 2 / WEA 91 792 2LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | WEA 58 400-1 / WEA WEA K 58 400LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Scandinavia | Eitel Optimal WEA 58 459 / Eitel Optimal WEA K 58 459LP, Album | LP, Album |
20 vinyl pressings of Der Ernst Des Lebens are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Germany, Austria, Europe, France and more. One of them is Eitel Imperial WEA 58 400.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WEA 58 400, WEA 58 459, WEA K 58 459) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 58400-A2- Strawberry (G) Ø Ø and R/S Alsdorf 58400 B3 XXXX Strawberry (E). 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.
