Vinyl pressings
by Pat Travers · 1981
Radio Active 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.
16 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 11 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.
PD·1·6313·AS # PW BALLS & CHAIN (PR)P STERLING GCSide A Runout
PD·1·6313·BS-PW1 STD.P.GRAFITTI (PR) STERLING GCSide B Runout
PD-1-6313-ASLabel Side A
PD-1-6313-BSLabel Side B
1 STERLING GC B-2 [Triangle w/dot] PD-1-6313-AS-K1 BALL & CHAINSide A runout
2 STERLING GC A-2 [Triangle w/dot] PD-1-6313-BS-1C STOP L.P. GRAFITTISide B runout
PD•1•6313•AS-PRC-C1-1-1 BALL & CHAIN STERLING GCSide A runout
PD•1•6313•BS-PRC-C1-1-1 4S 2 STPD L•P• GRAFITTI STERLING GCSide B runout
PD-1-6313-AS-PRC-C1-1-1 BALL & CHAINLabel Side A
PD-1-6313-BS-PRC-C1-1-11Label Side B
PD-1-6313-ASLabel Side A
PD-1-6313-BSLabel Side B
2391499 A // 1 E420 1 1Side A
2391499 B //1 E420 1 1 3Side B
28MM-0026A A-1-2 D1Side A runout
28MM-0026B A-1-1Side B runout
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 | Australia | Polydor 2391 499First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6313First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Polydor 2391 499First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2391 499First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2391 499First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | Polydor 2391499First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | Polydor 2391499LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2391 499First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Norway | Polydor 2391 499First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Polydor 23 91 499First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor 2391 499First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD-1-6313First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD-1-6313LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD-1-6313First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD-1-6313First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
18 vinyl pressings of Radio Active are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Polydor PD-1-6313.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD-1-6313, 2391 499, 28MM 0026, 2391499) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PD·1·6313·AS # PW BALLS & CHAIN (PR)P STERLING GC and PD·1·6313·BS-PW1 STD.P.GRAFITTI (PR) STERLING GC. 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.
