Vinyl pressings
by Nena · 1984
? (Fragezeichen) 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.
17 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.
12-25870-6A-1 A SONDEREGGERA-side runout, variant 1
12-25870-6B-1 A SONDEREGGERB-side runout, variant 1
12-25870-2A-1 R.SO. D NLA-side runout, variant 2
12-25870-2B-1 R.SO. AB-side runout, variant 2
12.25870-2A-1 A R.SO.Runout side A - variant 1
12.25870-5B-1 SONDEREGGER ARunout side B - variant 1
12.25870-6A-1 A SONDEREGGERRunout side A - variant 2
12.25870-4B-1 SONDEREGGER ARunout side B - variant 2
R.SO. 12.25870-2A-1 NLRunout Side A
R.SO. 12.25870-2B-1Runout Side B
12-321620-20On Sleeve
12-025870-1Label Side A
SONDEREGGER I2.25870-6A-I ASide A
I2.25870-4B-I SONDEREGGER ASide B
NL 12-25870-2A-1 C R.SO.Runout side A, variant 1
12-25870-6B-1 A SONDEREGGERRunout side B, variant 1
12-25870-4A-1 A SONDEREGGERRunout side A, variant 2
12-25870-5B-1 A SONDEREGGERRunout side B, variant 2
NL 12-25870-2A-1 C R.SOVariant 1 - Runout Side A, etched, stamped
12-25870-2B-1 F SONDEREGGERVariant 1 - Runout Side B, etched, stamped
12-25870-4A-I SONDEREGGER AVariant 2 - Runout Side A, etched, stamped
12-25870-2B-I SONDEREGGER FVariant 2 - Runout Side B, etched, stamped
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 | CBS CBS 25 870 / CBS 25 870First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | CBS CBSCL 40383-2 / CBS CBS 25 870LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1984 | Germany | CBS CBS 25 870 / Bertelsmann Club CBSCL 32162-0First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | CBS CBS 25 870 / CBS 25 870First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | CBS 25870First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | CBS CBS 25 870 / Bertelsmann Club CBSCL 32162-0First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | CBS CBS 25 870First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | CBS 25 870First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | CBS CBS 25 870 / CBS 25 870First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | CBS CBS 25870First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony CYA 1023First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 25 870 / CBS 25 870LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Turkey | CBS 25870First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Yugoslavia | CBS CBS 25870 / Suzy CBS 25870First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Yugoslavia | Suzy CBS 25870 / CBS CBS 25870First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1853 / Columbia 8719262003521LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
20 vinyl pressings of ? (Fragezeichen) are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1984 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Germany, Japan, Greece, Hong Kong and more. One of them is CBS CBS 25 870, released January 27, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CBS 25 870, 25870, 25 870, 28·3P-544) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12-25870-6A-1 A SONDEREGGER and 12-25870-6B-1 A SONDEREGGER. 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.
