Vinyl pressings
by Jean-Michel Jarre · 1983
The Essential Jean Michel Jarre was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. 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 1983, the album's first year, in 5 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.
PROLP3 A // 2 ∇ 420 W 12 13Runout side A, var. 1
PROLP3 B // 2 ∇ 420 W 12 12Runout side B, var. 1
PROLP3 A // 1 ∇ 420 W 12 5Runout side A, var. 2
PROLP3 B // 1 ∇ 420 W 12 5Runout side B, var. 2
PROLP 3 A // 2 ▽ 420 W 12Runout, A-side, variant 1, stamped
PROLP 3 B // 2 ▽ 420 W 16Runout, B-side, variant 1, stamped
PROLP - 3. A3 MTRunout, A-side, variant 2, etched
PROLP 3 B // 1 ▽ 420 W 1 1Runout, B-side, variant 2, stamped
PROLP 3A // 2 ▽ 420W 12 10A side runout
PROLP 3B // 2 ▽ 420W 11 16B side runout
817003-1S1 320
817003-1S2 320
PROLP3A//1∇420W 14Stamped Run-out Side A
PROLP3B//1∇420W 13Stamped Run-out 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Germany | Polydor 817 003-1 / Disques Dreyfus 817 003-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Ireland | Polydor PRO LP 3 / Polydor PROLP 3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Israel | Polydor PRO LP 3 / Polydor 817 003-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Israel | Polydor 817 003-1 / Polydor PRO LP 3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Polydor 817 003-1 / Polydor PRO LP 3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor PRO LP 3 / Polydor 817003-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor PRO LP 3 / Polydor PROLP 3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor PRO LP 3 / Disques Dreyfus 817003-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1989 | Portugal | Polydor 817 003-1 / Disques Dreyfus 817 003-1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Polydor PRO LP 3 / Disques Dreyfus 817003-1LP, Compilation, White Label | LP, Compilation, White Label |
10 vinyl pressings of The Essential Jean Michel Jarre are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1983 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, Germany, Ireland, Israel and more. One of them is Polydor PRO LP 3.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PRO LP 3, 817 003-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PROLP3 A // 2 ∇ 420 W 12 13 and PROLP3 B // 2 ∇ 420 W 12 12. 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.
