Vinyl pressings
by Siouxsie & The Banshees · 1981
Once Upon A Time/The Singles was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 14 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 1056 A // 6 ESTR 1 1 STRAWBERRYRunout side A, stamped, variant 1
POLS 1056 B // 1 ESTR 1 1 STRAWBERRY (C)Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
POLS 1056 A // 6 ESTR 1 1 STRAWBERRYRunout side A, stamped, variant 2
POLS 1056 B // 2 ESTR 1 1 STRAWBERRY (C)Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
POLD 5156 A/6 P̶O̶L̶S̶ ̶1̶0̶5̶6̶ A//6▽E STR 3 STRAWBERRYSide A runout
POLD 5156 B\1 P̶O̶L̶S̶ ̶1̶0̶5̶6̶ A//6▽E STR 3 STRAWBERRYSide B runout
POLD 5156-ASide A label
POLD 5156-BSide B label
PVC-8906-A HUB STERLINGSide A runout
PVC-8906-B HUB STERLINGSide B runout
2383 621 ASide A etched
2383 621 BSide B etched
2383 621 ASide A etched
2383 621 BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australasia | Polydor 2383 621First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Australasia | Polydor 2383 621First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Australia | Polydor 2383 621First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Polydor PDS-1-6338First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Polydor 2442 196First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2383 621First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2383 621First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2383 621First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Polydor POLS 1056First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | Polydor 2383621First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0086First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0086First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2383 621First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Polydor 2383 621First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2383 621First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | UMC 5737222LP, Album, Compilation, White Label | LP, Album, Compilation, White Label |
| 2020 | Europe | UMC SATBLP05C / UMC 00602557372229LP, Album, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | France | Polydor 2442 196LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Polydor PDS-1-6338LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Polydor PDS-1-6338LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Polydor PDS-1-6338LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | Polydor 2383 621LP, Album, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | PVC Records PVC 8906LP, Album, Compilation, Repress | LP, Album, Compilation, Repress |
34 vinyl pressings of Once Upon A Time/The Singles are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1981 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Australasia, Australia and more. One of them is Polydor POLS 1056, released December 4, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLS 1056, POLD 5156, PVC 8906, 2383 621) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLS 1056 A // 6 ESTR 1 1 STRAWBERRY and POLS 1056 B // 1 ESTR 1 1 STRAWBERRY (C). 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.
