Vinyl pressings
by James Last · 1981
Biscaya 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.
10 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
2042 352 S 1 320 1 D AA side runout, variant 1
2042 352 S 2 320 M A 2B side runout, variant 1
2042 352 S 1 320 1 I AA side runout, variant 2
2042 352 S 2 320 L A B 1B side runout, variant 2
2042 352 S 1 320 R 1Runout side A
2042 352 S 2 320 T 1ARunout side B
2042 352-A1Runout side A
2042 353-B1Runout side B
2042 352 ALabel side A
2042 352 BLabel side B
2042 352-A1Runout Side A
2042 353-B1Runout 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 2042 352First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Belgium | Polydor 2042 352 / Polydor 11181First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Belgium | Polydor 2042 352 / Polydor 11181First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | France | Polydor 2042 352First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2042 352First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 378First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2042 352First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2042 352First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 378First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2042 352First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Canada | Polydor 2042 3527", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of Biscaya are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Germany, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Polydor 2042 352, released November 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2042 352, POSP 378) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2042 352 S 1 320 1 D A and 2042 352 S 2 320 M A 2. 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.
