Vinyl pressings
by The Glove · 1983
Blue Sunshine was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
SHELP 2 A//1▽420H 11 TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 1
SHELP 2 B//1▽420H 11 TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 1
SHELP 2 A//1▽420H 1 1 6 TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 2
SHELP 2 B//1▽420 H 1 1 5 TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 2
SHELP 2 A//1▽420 H 1 2 TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 1
SHELP 2 B//1▽420 H 1 2 TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 1
SHELP 2 A//1▽420 H 1 2 TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 2
SHELP 2 B-2U-1-2Runout side B, variant 2
SHELP 2 A//1▽420H 115 TOWNHOUSERunout side A
SHELP 2 B//1▽420H 115 TOWNHOUSERunout side B
SHELP 2 A//1▽420 H 1 2 TOWNHOUSEMachine-stamped runout side A, variant 1
SHELP 2 B//1▽420 H 1 2 TOWNHOUSEMachine-stamped runout side B, variant 1
SHELP 2 A//1▽420 H 1 2 TOWNHOUSEMachine-stamped runout side A, variant 2
SHELP 2 B-2U-1-2Machine-stamped runout side B, variant 2
POLR-2004A-2 SnB 230 EL DM-2Side A Runout
POLR-2004B-2 SnB 230 EL DM-1Side B Runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | Polydor POLR 2004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0315First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0315First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Polydor 815019-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Wonderland SHELP 2 / Polydor SHELP 2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Wonderland SHELP 2 / Polydor SHELP 2First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1983 | UK | Wonderland SHELP 2 / Polydor SHELP 2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Polydor 815 019-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Wonderland SHELP 2 / Polydor SHELP 2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | France | Polydor 815 019-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | Wonderland 847 690-1 / Metronome 847 690-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1990 | UK | Polydor 815 019-1 / Wonderland 815 019-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1990 | US | Rough Trade RUS 85-1LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Europe | Polydor 0060253729414 (5) / Polydor 372 941-4LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2013 | US | Rhino Records R1-534835 / WonderlandLP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2016 | Europe | Polydor 00602547875716 / Wonderland 00602547875716LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
16 vinyl pressings of Blue Sunshine are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1983 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, France, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Wonderland SHELP 2, released September 9, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SHELP 2, 815 019-1, POLR 2004, 28MM 0315) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SHELP 2 A//1▽420H 11 TOWNHOUSE and SHELP 2 B//1▽420H 11 TOWNHOUSE. 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.
