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Tattoo by Rory Gallagher, album cover

Vinyl pressings

Tattoo

by Rory Gallagher · 1973

54 pressings20 countriesBlues RockRockBlues

Tattoo was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.

How to spot a first pressing of Tattoo

23 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 14 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.

UK

1973
Label and catalog number
Polydor 2383-230
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

2383230 A//3 420 04 1 2 4 2383230 BILBOSide A runout, variant 1

2383230 B//2 420 04 13 1 3 DBSide B runout, variant 1

2̶3̶8̶3̶2̶3̶3̶ A//1 11 4 2383230 BILBOSide A runout, variant 2

2̶3̶8̶3̶2̶3̶3̶ B//1 11 1 2383230 MA ŪSide B runout, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

UK

1973
Label and catalog number
Polydor 2383 230Polydor 2383-230
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Runout / matrix

2383230 A//3 420 04 1 2 4 BILBOSide A runout, variant 1

2383230 B//2 420 04 13 1 3 DBSide B runout, variant 1

2383230 A//3 420 04 12 3 BILBOSide A runout, variant 2

2383230 B//2 420 04 13 14 DBSide B runout, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

US

1973
Label and catalog number
Polydor PD-5539Polydor PD 5539
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

PD-5539-A-1A 32 STERLING RLEtched, Side A Runout [STERLING stamped] - variant 1

PD-5539-B-1A 22 STERLINGEtched, Side B Runout [STERLING stamped] - variant 1

PD-5539-A-1A STERLING RL 22Etched, Side A Runout [STERLING stamped] - variant 2

PD-5539-B-1A STERLING 22Etched, Side B Runout [STERLING stamped] - variant 2

Full details of this pressing

US

1973
Label and catalog number
Polydor PD 5539
Format
LP, Album · Monarch Pressing
Runout / matrix

PD-5539-A-3C-REPL (MR) Δ18296 (7) STERLING RLSide A runout, variant 1

PD-5539-B-1C (MR) Δ18296-X(1) STERLING RLSide B runout, variant 1

PD-5539-A-3C-REPL (MR) Δ18296(6) STERLING RLSide A runout, variant 2

PD-5539-B-1C (MR) Δ18296-X(1) STERLING RLSide B runout, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

US

1973
Label and catalog number
Polydor PD-5539Polydor PD 5539
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

PD-5539-A-1A STERLING RL 22Etched, Side A Runout [STERLING stamped]

PD-5539-B-1A STERLING 22Etched, Side B Runout [STERLING stamped]

PD 5539 A 2383 230Side A Label Matrix No.

PD 5539 B 2383 230Side B Label Matrix No.

Full details of this pressing

US

1973
Label and catalog number
Polydor PD-5539Polydor PD 5539
Format
LP, Album · All Disc Records Pressing
Runout / matrix

PD-5539-A-1A STERLING RL 77Etched, Side A Runout [STERLING Stamped]

PD-5539-B-1A STERLING 22Etched, Side B Runout [STERLING stamped]

(PD 5539 A)Side A Label

(PD 5539 B)Side B Label

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 54 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1970s34 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1973AustraliaPolydor 2383 230First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1973AustriaPolydor 2383 230First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1973CanadaPolydor 2383 230First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1973CanadaPolydor 2383 230First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1973CanadaPolydor 2383-230First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1973FrancePolydor 2442 122First yearLP, Album, Misprint, StereoLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo
1973GermanyPolydor 2383 230First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1973GermanyPolydor 2383 230First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · PromoLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo
1973IrelandPolydor 2383 230First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1973ItalyPolydor 2383 230 LFirst yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1973JapanPolydor MP2343First yearLP, Album, Promo · PromoLP, Album, Promo · Promo
1973NetherlandsPolydor 2460 217First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1973NetherlandsPolydor 2460 217First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1973New ZealandPolydor 2383 230First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1973NorwayPolydor 2383 230First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
All 34 pressings from the 1970s
1980s9 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1980AustraliaChrysalis L 37317 / Chrysalis (CHR-1259)LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1980GermanyChrysalis 202 649-320LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1980GermanyChrysalis 202 649-320 / Chrysalis 202 649LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1980GreeceChrysalis 6307 675LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
1980GreeceChrysalis 6307 675Album, LP, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressingAlbum, LP, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing
1980New ZealandChrysalis L 37317 / Chrysalis (CHR 1259)LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
1980USChrysalis CHR 1259LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1981SpainChrysalis CHR 1259LP, Album, RepressLP, Album, Repress
1981SpainChrysalis CHR-1259LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
2010s3 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2011USEagle Records ER203021LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinylLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl
2012EuropeMusic On Vinyl MOVLP456 / Sony Music MOVLP456LP, Album, Reissue, RemasteredLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
2018UK & EuropeUMC 5797730LP, Album, Reissue, RemasteredLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
Year unknown8 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?CanadaPolydor 2383 230LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?CanadaPolydor 2383 230LP, Club Edition · Club editionLP, Club Edition · Club edition
?FrancePolydor 2442 122LP, Album, Repress, StereoLP, Album, Repress, Stereo
?FranceChrysalis 6307 675 / Chrysalis CHR 1259LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?FranceChrysalis 6307 675LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?GermanyChrysalis 6307 675LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?GermanyChrysalis 202 649-320 / Chrysalis 202 649LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
?NetherlandsChrysalis 51.1259 / Chrysalis 511 259LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue

Tracklist

  1. A1Tattoo'd Lady
  2. A2Cradle Rock
  3. A320:20 Vision
  4. A4They Don't Make Them Like You Anymore
  5. A5Livin' Like A Trucker
  6. B1Sleep On A Clothes-Line
  7. B2Who's That Coming
  8. B3A Million Miles Away
  9. B4Admit It

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Tattoo are there?

54 vinyl pressings of Tattoo are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1973 and 2018.

When was Tattoo first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Polydor 2383-230.

How do I tell if my copy of Tattoo is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2383-230, 2383 230, PD-5539, PD 5539) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2383230 A//3 420 04 1 2 4 2383230 BILBO and 2383230 B//2 420 04 13 1 3 DB. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Tattoo on vinyl worth?

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.

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