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.
21 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 10 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 407 A//1∇420 T 1 TAPE ONE JA 1Runout side A, variant 1
POSP 407 B//1∇420 T 1 TAPE ONE JA 2Runout side B, variant 1
POSP 407 A//1∇420 T 1 TAPE ONE JA 6Runout side A, variant 2
POSP 407 B//2∇420 T 1 TAPE ONE JA 1Runout side B, variant 2
POSP 407 A // 1 ▽ 420 T 13 JA TAPE ONE 9Side A runout
POSP 407 B // 1 ▽ 420 T 1 JA TAPE ONE 5 8Side B runout
POSP 407 A//2∇420 T 1 TAPE ONE JA 1Runout side A, stamped, except [TAPE ONE JA] etched, variant 1
POSP 407 B//2∇420 T 1 TAPE ONE JA 2Runout side B, stamped, except [TAPE ONE JA] etched, variant 1
POSPX 407 A//2∇420 T 11 6 JA TAPE ONERunout stamped/etched side A variant 2
POSPX 407 B//1∇420 T 11 6Runout stamped side B variant 2
POSPX 407 A//2∇420 T 11 4 JA TAPE ONERunout stamped/etched side A variant 3
POSPX 407 B//1∇420 T 11 4Runout stamped side B variant 3
POSPX 407 A // 3 ▽ 420 T JA TAPE ONESide A runout
POSPX 407 B // 3 ▽ 420 W PPSide B runout
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 | France | Polydor 2059 470First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | France | Polydor 2812 145First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Germany | Polydor 2059 470 / Polydor 2059470First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 407 / Polydor 2059 470First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Japan | Polydor 7DM 0056First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Polydor 2141 502First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Maxi-Single |
| 1982 | Philippines | Polydor PRO-3659 / Polydor 2059 470First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | South Africa | Polydor PS 8002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Spain | Polydor 21 41 502First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | Polydor 20 59 470First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor POSPX 407 / Polydor 2141 502First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor POSPX 407First year12", 45 RPM, Advance | 12", 45 RPM, Advance |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor POSPX 407 / Polydor 2141 502First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | US | Polydor PRO 188First year12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Polydor PD 2219First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Germany | Zeitgeist12", Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", Promo, White Label · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | New Zealand | Polydor 2059 4707", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
23 vinyl pressings of Night Birds are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1982 and 2001.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Netherlands, France and more. One of them is Polydor POSP 407, released April 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSP 407, POSPX 407, PD 2219, PD 2219 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSP 407 A//1∇420 T 1 TAPE ONE JA 1 and POSP 407 B//1∇420 T 1 TAPE ONE JA 2. 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.
