Vinyl pressings
by Sad Café · 1981
Olé 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.
10 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
POLD 5045 A//1 E STR STRAWBERRY 1 1side 1 stamped [strawberry 1 1 is upside down compared to POLD]
POLD 5045 B//2 E STR STRAWBERRY 1 1side 2 stamped [strawberry 1 1 is upside down compared to POLD]
MX199593Side 1 Label
MX199594Side 2 Label
POLD 5045 A//1 E STR STRAWBERRY 1 2 1Side A runout
POLD 5045 B//2 E STR STRAWBERRY 1 2 1Side B runout
28MM-0113A B-1-1Runout side A
28MM-0113B A-1-1Runout side B
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 2383 627First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Polydor 2442 192First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2383 627First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Ireland | Polydor POLD 5045First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0113First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0113First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2442 192First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2442 192First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Polydor 23 83 627First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POLD 5045First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Mexico | Real LPR-2004LP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of Olé are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1981 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is Polydor POLD 5045.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLD 5045, 2383 627, 2442 192, 28MM 0113) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLD 5045 A//1 E STR STRAWBERRY 1 1 and POLD 5045 B//2 E STR STRAWBERRY 1 1. 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.
