Vinyl pressings
by Siouxsie & The Banshees · 1982
Fireworks 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.
16 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 5 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 450 A//▽420WSide A, stamped, variant 1
POSP 450 B//▽420RSide B, stamped, variant 1
POSP 450 A//1▽420 R 1 1Side A, stamped, variant 2
POSP 450 B//3▽420 W 1 1Side B, stamped, variant 2
POSPX 450 A // 1∇420 R 11 1Variant 1 runout side A, stamped
POSPX 450 B // 1∇420 R 11 1Variant 1 runout side B, stamped
POSPX 450 A // 1∇420 R 11 5Variant 2 runout side A, stamped
POSPX 450 B // 1∇420 R 11 2Variant 2 runout side B, stamped
POSP 450 A//1▽420 R 1 1 1 5 EAT THE SLEEVE ARUNSide A runout, variant 1
POSP 450 B//1▽420 R 1 1 1 6 FIND THE BLUTTERSide B runout, variant 1
POSP 450 A//1▽420 R 1 6 EAT THE SLEEVE ARUNSide A runout, variant 2
POSP 450 B//1▽420 R 1 8 FIND THE BLUTTERSide B runout, variant 2
POSPX 450 A //1▽420 R 11 21 EAT THE SLEEVESide A runout
POSPX 450 B //3▽420 H 11 4 TOWN HOUSESide B runout
EAT THE SLEEVE ARUNSide A, etched
TOWN HOUSESide B, stamped
POSP 450 A//1▽420 R 1 1Side A, stamped variant 1
POSP 450 B// 3▽420 H 1 1 2Side B, stamped variant 1
POSP 450 A//▽420WSide A, stamped
POSP 450 B//▽420RSide B, stamped
EAT THE SLEEVE ARUNSide A, etched
FIND THE BLUTTERSide B, etched
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 | Australia | Polydor 2059 426First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Germany | Polydor 2059 426First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 450First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2059 426First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor POSPX 450First year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor POSPG450 / Polydor PoSP 450First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor PoSPX 450First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor PoSP 450First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor POSP 450 / Polydor PoSP 450First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor POSPX 450First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor POSPG450 / Polydor PoSPG 450First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor POSPX 450First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor POSP 450 / Polydor PoSP 450First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor POSP 450 / Polydor PoSP 450First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor POSP 450 / Polydor PoSP 450First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
16 vinyl pressings of Fireworks are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, Australia, Germany, Ireland and more. One of them is Polydor POSP 450, released May 21, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSP 450, POSPX 450, POSPG450, PoSPX 450) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSP 450 A//▽420W and POSP 450 B//▽420R. 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.
