Vinyl pressings
by Sham 69 · 1979
The Adventures Of Hersham Boys was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 8 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.
POLD5025 A//3▽EStamped Runout Side A Variant 1
POLD5025 B//4▽EStamped Runout Side B Variant 1
SHAM69 A//2▽EStamped Runout Side C Variant 1
SHAM69 B//2▽EStamped Runout Side D Variant 1
POLD5025 A//4▽E P 14 toneSide A runout stamped / (tone) etched, variant 1
POLD5025 B//4▽E P 12 16Side B runout stamped, variant 1
POLD5025 A//4▽E P 11 13 toneSide A runout stamped / (tone) etched, variant 2
POLD5025 B//4▽E P 13 1Side B runout stamped, variant 2
POLD5025 A//4▽E P 1 2 1 0 toneSide A runout stamped / (tone) etched,
POLD5025 B//4▽E P 12 9Side B runout stamped,
SHAM 69 A//2 E P 11 12 toneSide C runout stamped, (tone) etched
SHAM 69 B//2 E P 14 2Side D runout stamped
POLD5025 A//4▽E P 16 1 toneSide A: stamped; "tone" etched
POLD5025 B//4▽E P 12 14Side B: stamped
160 2442165 1y 380 POLYGRAM ⋀3Runout A
160 2442165 21 380 POLYGRAM ⋀1Runout B
2442 165 1Label A
2442 165 2Label B
6, 28 497 - 01 - 1 Manufactured in Germany H1Runout A
6, 28 497 - 01 - 2 Manufactured in Germany H1Runout B
6, 28 497 - 02 - 1 Manufactured in Germany H1Runout C
6, 28 497 - 02 - 2 Manufactured in Germany H1Runout D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | France | Polydor 2442 165First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Vinyl 6.28497 DPFirst yearLP, Album, 12" | LP, Album, 12" |
| 1979 | Ireland | Polydor POLD 5025 / Polydor 2442 165First yearLP, Album, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | LP, Album, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Japan | Polydor MPF-1268First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Polydor MPF-1268First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2383 554First yearLP | LP |
| 1979 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2383 554First yearLP, Misprint | LP, Misprint |
| 1979 | Spain | Polydor 24 42 165First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Polydor POLD 5025LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | US | Polydor POLD 5025 / Polydor PD-1-6245First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Polydor POLD 5025 / Polydor 2442 165First yearLP, Album, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, All Media, Album | LP, Album, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, All Media, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Polydor POLD 5025 / Polydor 2442 165First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Polydor POLD 5025 / Polydor 2442 165First yearLP, Album, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM | LP, Album, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | UK | Dojo DOJO LP 258LP, Album, Reissue, 7", Single | LP, Album, Reissue, 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Italy | Earmark EM3013LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP4060 / Sanctuary MOVLP4060LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Polydor POLD 5025LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
17 vinyl pressings of The Adventures Of Hersham Boys are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1979 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, France, Germany and more. One of them is Polydor POLD 5025, released September 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLD 5025, 2442 165, 6.28497 DP, MPF-1268) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLD5025 A//3▽E and POLD5025 B//4▽E. 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.
