Vinyl pressings
by Life Force · 1984
Invitation 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.
13 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
POLO-1234-A1 tone DAMONT MT 1Side A runout, etched Variant 1
POLO-1234-B1 DAMONT MT 1Side B runout, etched Variant 1
POLO-1234-A1 tone DAMONT *MT* ⥞Side A runout, etched Variant 2
POLO-1234-B1 DAMONT *MT* ⥞Side B runout, etched Variant 2
POLO-34-T-A tone LYN-14951-2YSIde A
POLO-34-T-B LYN-14951-2Y z
POLO-34-T-A tone Lyn-14951-2YSide A runout, etched
POLO-1234-B Lyn-14951-2YSide B runout, etched
POLO 12 34 A*Label side A
POLO 12 34 B*Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Germany | WEA 249 272-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | WEA 249 272-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Mexico | Musart TI - 70861 / Trebol TI - 70861First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Sky SKY 119556 / Sky SKY 119556 SMFirst year12", Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | South Africa | Transistor CBK 617First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | South Africa | Transistor 12CBK(C) 5012First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Sanni Records SR 12106First year12" | 12" |
| 1984 | Spain | Sanni Records SR 106First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Polo POLO 12 34First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Polo POLO 1234First year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1984 | UK | POLO POLO 12 34TFirst year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1984 | UK | Polo POLO 34First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Polo POLO 12 34First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Greece | Famous Music FM 600112", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | Greece | Famous Music FM 600112", White Label | 12", White Label |
15 vinyl pressings of Invitation are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands and more. One of them is Polo POLO 12 34.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLO 12 34, POLO 1234, POLO 12 34T, POLO 34) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLO-1234-A1 tone DAMONT MT 1 and POLO-1234-B1 DAMONT MT 1. 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.
