Vinyl pressings
by Jon & Vangelis · 1980
Short Stories 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.
35 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 23 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.
POLD 5030 A//1▽E STR 11 5 STRAWBERRYSide A runout stamped, variant 1
STRAWBERRY POLD 5030 B//2▽E STR 11 22Side B runout stamped, variant 1
POLD 5030 A//1▽E STR 12 9 STRAWBERRYSide A runout stamped, variant 2
POLD 5030 B//2▽E STR 11 STRAWBERRY. 23Side B runout stamped, variant 2
POLD 5030 A // 1 ▽ E STR STRAWBERRYSide A runout, Variant 1
POLD 5030 B // 1 ▽ E STR STRAWBERRYSide B runout, Variant 1
POLD 5030 A // 1 ▽ E STR 17 6 •STRAWBERRY•Side A runout, Variant 2
POLD 5030 B // 1 ▽ E STR 11 STRAWBERRY• 3 1Side B runout, Variant 2
POLD 5030 A//1▽E STR 11 5 STRAWBERRYSide A run-out, machine-stamped, Variant 1
STRAWBERRY POLD 5030 B//2▽E STR 11 22Side B run-out, machine-stamped, Variant 1
POLD 5030 A//1▽E STR 12 9 STRAWBERRYSide A run-out, machine-stamped, Variant 2
POLD 5030 B//2▽E STR 11 STRAWBERRY. 23Side B run-out, machine-stamped, Variant 2
PD-6272 AS- PW-1 @tGP (PR)Side A runout etched, (PR) faces inwards
PD-1-6272-BS- PW-1 @tGP (PR)PSide A runout etched, (PR)P faces inwards
PD-1-6272-ASSide A, label
PD-1-6272-BSSide B, label
PD-1-6272AS- - PRC-C 1-1 @t GPSide A runout
-||- PD-1 - 6272 BS- PRC-C 1-1 @t GPSide B runout
PD-1-6272-ASide A label
PD-1-6272-BSide B label
PD1-6272 PRC-R-AS-2-2-4-8Side A Runout - Etched
PD-1-6272 BS-PRC- 1-1 CR CRSide B Runout - Etched
PD1-6272 PRC-R- AS-2-2-1Side A Runout - Etched
PD-1 6272-B5-PRC-R-1-1-111Side B Runout - Etched
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 | Argentina | Polydor 2383565 / Polydor 6115First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Australasia | Polydor 2383 565First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Polydor 2383 565First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Austria | Polydor 2383 565First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | Polydor 2383 565First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6272First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6272First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Polydor 2442 169First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | Polydor 2442 169First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Polydor 2383 565First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Polydor 2383 565First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | Polydor 2383 565First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Israel | Polydor 2383 585First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Polydor 2383 565First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Polydor MPF 1287First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Polydor 2383 565LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Brazil | Polydor 2383 565LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Polydor SPELP 105LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Polydor PD-16272LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
44 vinyl pressings of Short Stories are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1980 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, South Korea, Argentina and more. One of them is Polydor POLD 5030, released January 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLD 5030, PD-1-6272, SEL-200 414, 2383565) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLD 5030 A//1▽E STR 11 5 STRAWBERRY and STRAWBERRY POLD 5030 B//2▽E STR 11 22. 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.
