Vinyl pressings
by John Lennon · 1984
Borrowed Time was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
POSP 701 A//1 ▽ 420A-side runout, variant 1
POSP701B//4 ▽ 420vvB-side runout, variant 1
POSP 701 A//1 ▽ 420 W 114A-side runout, variant 2
POSP701 B//3 ▽ 420 W 111B-side runout, variant 2
POSPX 701A//1▽420WStamped A
POSPX 701B//3▽420WStamped B
POSP 701 A//1 420A-side runout variant 1
POSP701B//4 420WB-side runout variant 1
POSP 701 A//2 420A-side runout variant 2
POSP701B//4 420WB-side runout variant 2
POSP 701 A//1 ▼ 420A-side
POSP701B//4▼420WB-side
821-2047 83.NP-6547-BW STERLING ⒽRunout A etched [STERLING stamped]
821 204 7 83 NP-6548-BW STERLING ⒽRunout B etched [STERLING stamped]
83 NP 6547Label A
83 NP 6548Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | Polydor PDS 2252First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Polydor PDSX 2252First year12", Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 701First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | South Africa | Polydor PS 8052First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Polydor POSP 701First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Polydor POSPX 701First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Polydor PODJ701First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Polydor POSPG 701 / Polydor POSP 701First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Polydor POSP 701First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | US | Polydor 821 204-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | US | Polydor 821 204-7 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Polydor 821 204-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
12 vinyl pressings of Borrowed Time are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Canada, Ireland and more. One of them is Polydor POSP 701, released March 9, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSP 701, POSPX 701, POSPG 701, PODJ701) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSP 701 A//1 ▽ 420 and POSP701B//4 ▽ 420vv. 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.
