Vinyl pressings
by Mobiles · 1981
Drowning In Berlin 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.
13 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.
RIA 3 A POLYGRAM tone 425Runout side A, variant 1
RIA 3 B POLYGRAM 425Runout side B, variant 1
RIA 3 A POLYGRAM tone B 6 LA 425Runout side A, variant 2
RIA 3 B POLYGRAM A 2 1 LA 425Runout side B, variant 2
425 RIA 3 A POLYGRAM tone B 3 BA-side runout
425 RIA 3B POLYGRAM POLYGRAM B 13 BB-side runout
RIA 3ASide A label
RIA 3BSide B label
RIA - 3-A1 toneRunout side A
RIA - 3-B1Runout side B
RIA 3ALabel side A
RIA 3BLabel side B
RIA - 3 - A1 tone 1 0 ∴Runout side A, etched
RIA - 3 - B1 ∴Runout side B, etched
RIA 3ALabel side A
RIA 3BLabel side B
425 RIA 3 A POLYGRAM toneA-side runout
425 RIA 3B POLYGRAM POLYGRAMB-side runout
RIA 3ASide A label
RIA 3BSide B label
425 RIA 3 A POLYGRAM TONE A 1 2A Side
425 RIA 3 B POLYGRAM D 7B Side
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 | Europe | Polydor 2002 120First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | France | Polydor 2812 094First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1981 | France | Rialto 2002 120First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Rialto RIA 3First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Portugal | Rialto 2002 120First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Spain | Rialto 20 02 120First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Rialto RIA 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Rialto RIA 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Rialto RIA 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Rialto RIA 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Rialto RIA 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Rialto RIA 3First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Rialto RIA 3First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Germany | Rialto 2002 1207", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Rialto 4531 / Dureco Benelux 45317", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Rialto RIA 37", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
16 vinyl pressings of Drowning In Berlin are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Europe, France, Ireland and more. One of them is Rialto RIA 3.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RIA 3, 2002 120, 2812 094, 20 02 120) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RIA 3 A POLYGRAM tone 425 and RIA 3 B POLYGRAM 425. 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.
