Vinyl pressings
by Ted Gärdestad · 1978
Blue Virgin Isles was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 3 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-284-A F.2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WALLY GP 13Runout, side A, variant 1
POLS-284-B F.2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WALLY GP 10Runout, side B, variant 1
POLS-284-A F∙2 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL GP 1 10Runout, side A, etched & stamped, variant 2
POLS-284-B F∙2 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL GP 1 9Runout, side B, etched & stamped, variant 2
2344121 S1 N6 320Side 1
2344121 S2 N6 320Side 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Germany | Polydor 2344121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Italy | Durium DAI 30 320 / Durium Marche Estere D. AI 30-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Sweden | Polar POLS 284First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Australia | RCA Victor VPL1-4118LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Polydor 2344 135LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Greece | Pan-Vox POLS 300LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Israel | Epic EPC 83653LP, Special Edition | LP, Special Edition |
| 1979 | Norway | Polar POLS 300LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | Carnaby TXS 3141LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Spain | Carnaby TXS 3141LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Sweden | Polar POLS 300LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | UK | Epic EPC 83653LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Epic EPC 83653LP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1979 | Japan | Discomate DSP-5111LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Sweden | Polar 060255782890LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
15 vinyl pressings of Blue Virgin Isles are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1978 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Sweden, Germany, Italy. One of them is Polar POLS 284.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLS 284, 2344121, DAI 30 320) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLS-284-A F.2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WALLY GP 13 and POLS-284-B F.2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WALLY GP 10. 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.
