Vinyl pressings
by Katja Ebstein · 1980
Theater 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.
16 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 12 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.
101551 A-1/80S II Made in GermanyRunout side A, variant 1
101551 B-1/80S Made in GermanyRunout side B, variant 1
101551 A-1/80S Made in GermanyRunout side A, variant 2
101551 B-1/80S Made in GermanyRunout side B, variant 2
101865 A-1/80S Made in GermanyRunout-Groove Side A
101865 B-1/80S Made in GermanyRunout-Groove Side B
002 101551 A-1/80S Manufactured in GermanyRunout A, stamped
002 101551 B-1/80S Manufactured in GermanyRunout B, stamped
M̷a̷d̷e̷ ̷i̷n̷ ̷G̷e̷r̷m̷a̷n̷y̷Runout A&B, stamped and crossed out
S 101 551 ALabel A
002 101551 A-1/80S [ ̶M̶ ̶] Made in Germany ʎuɐɯɹǝ⅁ uᴉ pǝɹnʇɔɐⅎnuɐꟽRunout side A
002 101551 B-1/80S [ ̶M̶ ̶] ʎuɐɯɹǝ⅁ uᴉ pǝɹnʇɔɐⅎnuɐꟽ Made in GermanyRunout side B
S 101 551 ALabel side A
S 101 551 BLabel side B
ARO 229 A-1 [Diamond] MBRunout-Groove Side A
ARO 229 B-1 [Diamond] MBRunout-Groove 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Ariola 103 622First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Austria | Ariola 101 551 / Ariola 101 551 -100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Brazil | Ariola 102 072First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Chile | Ariola ARS 10.029First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Colombia | Ariola 18(0411)00109First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | Arabella 101 551First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Germany | Ariola 101 551 / Ariola 101 551 -100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Ariola 101 865 / Ariola 101 865 - 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | Ariola 101 551 / Ariola 101 551 -100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Germany | Ariola 101 551 / Ariola 101 551 -100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Ariola ARL 37032First year7" | 7" |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Ariola 101.866 / Ariola 101 866-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Ariola 101.551First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Portugal | Ariola 5101 865First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Spain | Ariola A-101865First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Netherlands | Ariola 101.5517", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Theater are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in Germany, UK, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Ariola 101 551.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 101 551, 101 865, ARO 229, 103 622) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 101551 A-1/80S II Made in Germany and 101551 B-1/80S Made in Germany. 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.
