Vinyl pressings
by Joe Egan · 1981
Map 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.
8 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 8 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.
203008 A-1/80SSide A runout, variant 1
203008 B-1/80SSide B runout, variant 1
203008 A-1/80S Made in GermanySide A runout, variant 2
203008 B-1/80S Made in GermanySide B runout, variant 2
Side 1 ARL 5052 A
Side 2 ARL 5052 B
76 ARL 39122-1L [cgd logo] 3-9-81 DDRunout side A
76 ARL 39122-2L [cgd logo] 3-9-81 DDRunout side B
76 ARL 39122-1LLabel side A
76 ARL 39122-2LLabel 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 | Ariola VPL1-6554First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Ecuador | Ariola 820171-2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Ariola 203 008 / Arabella 203 008First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Ariola 203 008 / Ariola 203 008-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | Ariola ARL 39122First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | Ariola ARL 8015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Ariola I-203 008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Ariola ARL 5052First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | The Goods Records TGR 9304LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | The Goods Records TGR 9304LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Ariola 203 008LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Map are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Germany, UK, Australia, Ecuador and more. One of them is Ariola 203 008.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 203 008, ARL 5052, VPL1-6554, 820171-2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 203008 A-1/80S and 203008 B-1/80S. 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.
