Vinyl pressings
by Shakatak · 1982
Night Birds was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 20 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.
POLS 1059 A // 1 ∇ 420 T 1 1 1 2 JA TAPE ONESide A Runout, Variant 1
POLS 1059 B // 2 ∇ 420 W 1 2 1 1Side B Runout, Variant 1
POLS 1059 A//1∇420 T 1 1 3 3 JA TAPE ONESide A Runout, Variant 2
POLS 1059 B//2∇420 W 1 2 1 1Side B Runout, Variant 2
POLS 1059 A // 1 ▽ 420 T 1 1 1 2 4 JA TAPE ONESide A runout
POLS 1059 B // 2 ▽ 420 T 1 1 1 2 JA TAPE ONESide B runout
POLS 10 59 A // 1 ∇ 420 W 1 4 2 5 PPA-side runout, stamped/etched - Variant 1
POLS 1059 B // 2 ∇ 420 W 1 2 2 4B-side runout, stamped - Variant 1
POLS 10 59 A // 1 ∇ 420 W 1 6 1 4 PPA-side runout, stamped/etched - Variant 2
POLS 1059 B // 2 ∇ 420 W 1 2 1 6B-side runout, stamped - Variant 2
POLS 1059 A // 1 ∇ 420 T 1 1 2 6 JA TAPE ONERunout, Side A - stamped/etched, variant 1
POLS 1059 B // 2 ∇ 420 T 1 1 1 0 JA TAPE ONERunout, Side B - stamped/etched, variant 1
POLS 1059 A // 1 ∇ 420 T 1 1 8 JA TAPE ONERunout, Side A - stamped/etched, variant 2
POLS 1059 B // 2 ∇ 420 T 1 1 8 JA TAPE ONERunout, Side B - stamped/etched, variant 2
POLS 10 59 A // 1 ▽ 420 W PPSide A runout
POLS 1059 B // 1 ▽ 420 T JA TAPE ONESide B runout
PD16354AS-PRC-C1-1—1 STERLINGRunout A
PD16354BS-PRC-C1-1—1 STERLINGRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australasia | Polydor 2383633First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6354First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | France | Polydor 2383 633First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Polydor 2383 633First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | Polydor 2383 633First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | Polydor 2383 633First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Israel | Polydor POLS 1059 / Phonokol POLS 1059First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Italy | Polydor 2383 633First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0186First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Mexico | Polydor LPR-16422 / Polydor 2383 633First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Polydor 2383 633First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Polydor 2383 633First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Philippines | Polydor 2383 633First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Portugal | Polydor 2383 633First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2383 633First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | UK | Secret Records Limited SECLP278GLP, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2383 633LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
34 vinyl pressings of Night Birds are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1982 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is Polydor POLS 1059, released May 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLS 1059, PD-1-6354, 28MM 0186, 2383633) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLS 1059 A // 1 ∇ 420 T 1 1 1 2 JA TAPE ONE and POLS 1059 B // 2 ∇ 420 W 1 2 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.
