Vinyl pressings
by Level 42 · 1981
Starchild 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.
15 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 6 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.
PO SP 343 A//4▽E TH 11 5 TOWNHOUSEVariant 1, runout side A
PO SP 343 B//4▽E TH 11 4 TOWNHOUSEVariant 1, runout side B
POSP 343 A//3▽ETH TOWN HOUSE 11 1 4Variant 2, runout side A
PO SP 343 B//4▽ETH TOWN HOUSE 11 2Variant 2, runout side B
POSPX 343 A DM POLYGRAM 603 TOWNHOUSERunout, A-side, stamped
POSPX 343 B DM POLYGRAM 603 TOWNHOUSERunout, B-side, stamped
POSPX 343 A // 3 ∇ E420Runout side A
POSPX 343 B // 3 ∇ ETH TOWNHOUSERunout side B
POSPX 343 A // 5 ∇ 420 WRunout, A-side, stamped
POSPX 343 B // 4 ∇ 420 WRunout, B-side, stamped
-1-DDD.520.82.NP-5874-PRC-C1-1-1 A STERLINGSide A runout
-1-PDD.520.82.MP.5875-PRC-C1-1-1 B STERLINGSide B runout
82 NP 5874Side A label
2141 515Side B label
STERLING B-1 ↔ PDD5W-82-NP-5874-HRM1A-Side runout
STERLING B-1 ↔ PDD520-82NP-5875-HRMB-Side runout
82 NP 5874A-Side label
82 NP 5875B-Side label
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 | Belgium | Polydor 2059 415First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2141 436First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2141 515First year12" | 12" |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2059 415First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 343First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2141 436First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSPX 343First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSPX 343First year12", 45 RPM, Advance | 12", 45 RPM, Advance |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSPX 343 / Polydor 2141 436First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD D 520 / Polydor 2141 515First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PDD 520 / Polydor PD D 520First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD-D-520 / Polydor PDD 520First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD 2207 DJFirst year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PDD52012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD 2207First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
18 vinyl pressings of Starchild are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1981 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Belgium, Germany and more. One of them is Polydor POSP 343, released November 2, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSP 343, POSPX 343, PDD 520, PD-D-520) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PO SP 343 A//4▽E TH 11 5 TOWNHOUSE and PO SP 343 B//4▽E TH 11 4 TOWNHOUSE. 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.
