Vinyl pressings
by Lena Valaitis · 1981
Johnny Blue 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.
20 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 13 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.
020 102939 A-1/81S M̷a̷d̷e̷ ̷i̷n̷ ̷G̷e̷r̷m̷a̷n̷y̷ H1Runout A
020 102939 B-1/81S M̷a̷d̷e̷ ̷i̷n̷ ̷G̷e̷r̷m̷a̷n̷y̷ H1Runout B
S 102 939 ALabel A
S 102 939 BLabel B
Side A: 103071 A-1/81S I
Side B: 103071 B-1/81 S I
102939 A-1/81S Made in GermanyRunout side A, variant 1
102939 B-1/81S Made in GermanyRunout side B, variant 1
102939 A-1/81S II Made in Germany H1Runout side A, stamped, etched "II", "H1", variant 2
020 102939 B-1/81S Made in Germany H1Runout side B, stamped, etched "020", "H1", variant 2
D 102939 A-1/81S I Made in GermanyRunout Side A
D 102939 B-1/81S I Made in GermanyRunout Side B
S 102 939 ALabel A
S 102 939 BLabel 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 | Austria | Ariola 102 939 / Ariola 102 939-100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Bolivia | Ariola ASS-1109 / Ariola ASS - 1109First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Brazil | Ariola 103 071First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Arabella 103112First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | France | Arabella 102 939-100 / Arabella 102939First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Ariola 102 939 / Ariola 102 939-100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | Ariola 103 071 / Ariola 103 071 - 100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | Ariola 102 939 / Ariola 102 939-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Ariola 102 939First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | Ariola 102 939 / Ariola 102 939-100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Ireland | Ariola ARO 256First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | Ariola ARO 256First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Ariola 102 939 / Ariola 102 939-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Peru | Ariola 1030071First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Portugal | Ariola 5103 071First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
20 vinyl pressings of Johnny Blue are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Germany, UK, Yugoslavia, Austria and more. One of them is Ariola 102 939.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 102 939, 103 071, ARO 256, 1220098) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 020 102939 A-1/81S M̷a̷d̷e̷ ̷i̷n̷ ̷G̷e̷r̷m̷a̷n̷y̷ H1 and 020 102939 B-1/81S M̷a̷d̷e̷ ̷i̷n̷ ̷G̷e̷r̷m̷a̷n̷y̷ H1. 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.
