Vinyl pressings
by The Jam · 1981
Absolute Beginners 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.
15 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.
POSP 350 A//5 ▽EM ARUNRunout side A, variant 1
POSP 350 B//4 ▽EMRunout side B, variant 1
POSP 350 A // 4 ▽ E M 1 11 5 ARUNRunout side A, variant 2
POSP 350 B // 5 ▽ E M 1 1 0 1Runout side B, variant 2
603 POSP 350 A DM 1 POLYGRAM ARUNSide A runout, stamped/etched, variant 1
603 POSP 350 B DM 1 POLYGRAM ASide B runout, stamped, variant 1
603 POSP350 A DM1 POLYGRAM ARUNSide A runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
603 POSP 350 B DM POLYGRAMSide B runout, stamped, variant 2
POSP 350 A // 4 ∇ E M 11 2 1Stamped in runout, side A
POSP 350 B // 5 ∇ E M 11 1 3Stamped in runout, side B
POSP 350 A//4 ∇EM 111 A ARUNRunout A side, stamped/etched
POSP 350 B//4 ∇EM 11 BRunout B side, stamped
POSP 350 A//4 ∇EM 121 A ARUNRunout A side, stamped/etched
POSP 350 B//5 ∇EM 12 IRunout B side, stamped
Å MX199433 2059406-1Side A runout stamped
Å MX199434 2059406-2Side B runout stamped
MX199433Side A label
MX199434Side B label
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 | Germany | Metronome 0030.433First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 350First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2059 406First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Polydor POSP 350 / Polydor 2059 406First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2059 406First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | South Africa | Polydor PS 1242First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Spain | Polydor 20 59 406First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 350 / Polydor 2059 406First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 350 / Polydor 2059 406First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Polydor 2059 406First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 350 / Polydor 2059 406First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 350 / Polydor 2059 406First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 350First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Polydor 7DM 0039First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Japan | Polydor 7DM 0039First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
18 vinyl pressings of Absolute Beginners are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1981 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, Japan, Germany and more. One of them is Polydor POSP 350, released October 16, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSP 350, 2059 406, 7DM 0039, 0030.433) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSP 350 A//5 ▽EM ARUN and POSP 350 B//4 ▽EM. 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.
