Vinyl pressings
by Shakatak · 1983
Dark Is The Night was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. 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 1983, 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.
POSPX 595 A//3∇ 420 U 11 10A side, stamped, variant-1
POSPX 595 B//3∇ 420 U 11 12B side, stamped, variant-1
POSPX 595 A//3∇ 420 U 11 4A side, stamped, variant-2
POSPX 595 B//3∇ 420 U 11 1B side, stamped, variant-2
POSP 595 A//2∇420 U 1 1 10Runout [Stamped] Side A, variant 1
POSP 595 B//1∇420 U 1 1 22Runout [Stamped] Side B, variant 1
W (drawn harp)Runout [Etched) Side A, variant 1
POSP 595 A//2∇420 U [Utopia harp logo] 1 1 1A side runout, variant 2
POSPX 595 A//3∇ 420 U 11 2A side, stamped
POSPX 595 B//3∇ 420 U 11 1B side, stamped
ƱTOPIABoth sides, etched, variant-1&2
813 141-7 S 1 320 C 1Runout Side A
813 141-7 S 2 320 C 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | France | Polydor 813 141-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Germany | Polydor 813 141-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Germany | Polydor 813 141-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 595First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 595First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Italy | Polydor 813 141-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Polydor 813 141-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Polydor 813 141-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Polydor 813 141-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Polydor 813 141-1First year12" | 12" |
| 1983 | Portugal | Polydor 813 141-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Spain | Polydor 813 141-1First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | Spain | Polydor 813 141-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor POSPX 595 / Polydor 813 141-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor POSP 595 / Polydor 813 141-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
16 vinyl pressings of Dark Is The Night are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, France, Germany, Ireland and more. One of them is Polydor POSPX 595.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSPX 595, POSP 595, 813 141-1, 813 141-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSPX 595 A//3∇ 420 U 11 10 and POSPX 595 B//3∇ 420 U 11 12. 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.
