Vinyl pressings
by Siouxsie & The Banshees · 1981
Spellbound 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.
17 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
POSPX 273 A//3▽E 1 1 3 TOWN HOUSERun-out side A, stamped variant 1
POSPX 273 B//2▽E 1 1 2 THRun-out side B, stamped variant 1
POSPX273 A//1▽E TH 11 4 TOWN HOUSERun-out side A, stamped variant 2
POSPX 273 B//2▽E TH 1Run-out side B, stamped variant 2
603 POSP 273 A1 POLYGRAM BC TOWN HOUSESide A runout, variant 1
603 POSP 273 B1 POLYGRAM A11 TOWN HOUSESide B runout, variant 1
603 POSP 273 A1 POLYGRAM BC TOWN HOUSE BSide A runout, variant 2
603 POSP 273 B1 POLYGRAM A11 TOWN HOUSE BSide B runout, variant 2
603 POSP 273 A2 DM POLYGRAM B TOWN HOUSESide A
603 POSP 273 B2 DM POLYGRAM BSide B
603 POSP 273 A1 POLYGRAM TOWN HOUSE BSide A
603 POSP 273 B2 DM POLYGRAM TOWN HOUSE BSide B
603 POSP 273 A1 POLYGRAM TOWNHOUSESide A, variant 1
603 POSP 273 B2 DM POLYGRAM TOWNHOUSESide B, variant 1
603 POSP 273 A1 POLYGRAM A3 TOWNHOUSESide A, variant 2
603 POSP 273 B1 POLYGRAM A2 TOWNHOUSESide B, variant 2
603 POSP 273 A1 POLYGRAM B B 2 TOWNHOUSESide A runout stamped
603 POSP 273 B2 DM POLYGRAM B B 3 TOWNHOUSESide B runout stamped
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 | Australia | Polydor 2059 361First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Belgium | Polydor 2059 361First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Polydor 2814 277First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2059 361 / Polydor 2059361First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 273First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Italy | Polydor 2059 361First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2059 361First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Spain | Polydor 20 59 361First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 273First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 273First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 273First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSPX 273First year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 273First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Polydor SIOUX 1 / Polydor 2059361First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSPX 273First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
17 vinyl pressings of Spellbound are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, New Zealand, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Polydor POSPX 273, released May 22, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSPX 273, POSP 273, SIOUX 1, 2059 361) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSPX 273 A//3▽E 1 1 3 TOWN HOUSE and POSPX 273 B//2▽E 1 1 2 TH. 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.
