Vinyl pressings
by Japan · 1980
Gentlemen Take Polaroids 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.
24 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 14 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.
V2180 A2 STRAWBERRYSide A runout, variation 1
V2180 B3 STRAWBERRYSide B runout, variation 1
V2180 A2 D Ü 0 STRAWBERRYSide A runout, variation 2
V2180 B3 F 3 STRAWBERRYSide B runout, variation 2
V2180 A3 A 3 1Side A runout, variant 1
V2180 B3 FSide B runout, variant 1
V2180 A3 ASide A runout, variant 2
V2180 B3 FSide B runout, variant 2
V2180 A3 C ÜSide A runout, etched / stamped
V2180 B3 FSide B runout, etched / stamped
V 2180-ASide A label
V 2180-BSide B label
TOWN HOUSESide A runout, stamped, variant 1
V-2180 A 4 2Side A runout, etched, variant 1, 2
V 2180 B-5U-1-1-.:.Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
V 2180 B-5U-1-1-10 TOWN HOUSESide B runout, stamped, variant 2
V2180 A3 ASide A runout
V2180 B3 ASide B runout
V 2180-ASide A label
V 2180-BSide B label
V2180 A1 A STRAWBERRY - SeanSide A runout, variant 1
V2180 B3 ASide B runout, variant 1
V2180 A1 A STRAWBERRY - SeanSide A runout, variant 2
V2180 B2 ASide B runout, variant 2
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 | Benelux | Virgin 202.968 / Virgin 202 968First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1980 | Benelux | Virgin 202.968 / Virgin 202 968LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Virgin 202 968 / Virgin V2180First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Virgin 202.968 / Virgin 202 968-320First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1980 | Portugal | Virgin VV 33.067 y / Virgin VV-33.067 YFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | Virgin I-202.968 / Virgin I-202968First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Virgin V 2180 / Virgin V2180First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Australia | Virgin V 2180 / Virgin V2180First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Virgin VIP-6969 / Virgin VIRG-6969First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Promo, Stereo · Promo, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Promo, Stereo · Promo, Limited |
| 1980 | UK | Virgin V 2180 / Virgin V2180First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Virgin V 2180 / Virgin V2180First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1980 | Australia | Virgin V 2180 / Virgin V2180First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Australia | Virgin V 2180 / Virgin V2180First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | Virgin VL 2208First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | Virgin 202968First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | UK | Virgin 6746228 / UMC 6746228LP, Album, Reissue, White Label | LP, Album, Reissue, White Label |
| 2018 | UK | Virgin 671 041-2 / UMC 671 041-212", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, White Label |
| 2018 | Europe | Virgin 674 622-8 / UMC 674 622-8LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2018 | UK | Virgin 671 041-2 / UMC 671 041-212", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Virgin V 2180LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | Virgin V-2180 / Virgin V 2180LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Virgin VL 2208LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Virgin VL 2208LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Virgin 202 968 / Virgin 202 968-270LP, Album, Misprint, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Virgin 202 968 / Virgin 202 968-320LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Virgin 202 968 / Virgin 202 968-270LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Virgin OVED 138LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Virgin VIP-6969 / Virgin VIRG-6969LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
52 vinyl pressings of Gentlemen Take Polaroids are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1980 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Australia, Canada, France and more. One of them is Virgin V 2180, released November 15, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V 2180, VL 2208, 202968, VIL 12180) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V2180 A2 STRAWBERRY and V2180 B3 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.
