Vinyl pressings
by Pepsi & Shirlie · 1987
Goodbye Stranger was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 9 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.
POSP 865 A // 1 ∇ 420 R 1 1 3Side A runout variant 1
POSP 865 B // 1 ∇ 420 R 1 2 JSide B runout variant 1
POSP 865 A // 1 ▽ 420 R 1 2 1 4Side A runout variant 2
POSP 865 B // 1 ▽ 1 2 1 2Side B runout variant 2
POSPX 865 A//1∇420R 1 1 1Side A stamped
POSPX 865 B//2∇420R 1 1 6Side B stamped
POSPP 865A ORLAKERunout side A
POSPP 865B ORLAKERunout side B
POSP 865 A //1∇420 RA side runout stamped
POSP 865 B //1∇420 RB side runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | Polydor 885 883-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Australia | Polydor 885 883-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Germany | Polydor 885 883-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Polydor 885 883-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | Polydor 885 883-112", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Greece | Polydor 885 883-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Italy | Polydor 885 883-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Italy | Polydor 885 883-1First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | Polydor 13MM7053First year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | Portugal | Polydor 888 883-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Spain | Polydor 885 883-1First year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | Spain | Polydor 885 883-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Polydor POSP 865 / Polydor posp 865First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Polydor POSPX 865First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Polydor pospp 865First year7", Picture Disc, Single, 45 RPM · Picture disc | 7", Picture Disc, Single, 45 RPM · Picture disc |
26 vinyl pressings of Goodbye Stranger are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Polydor POSP 865.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSP 865, POSPX 865, pospp 865, POSPX 865 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSP 865 A // 1 ∇ 420 R 1 1 3 and POSP 865 B // 1 ∇ 420 R 1 2 J. 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.
