Vinyl pressings
by The Jam · 1982
Beat Surrender was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 8 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 540 A//5▽420 R 1 2 4 ARUNSide A runout, variant 1
POSP 540 B//2▽420 R 1 1 1 1Side B runout, variant 1
POSP 540 A//6▽ 420 R 11 ARUN 6Side A runout, variant 2
POSP 540 B//2▽420 R 11 13Side B runout, variant 2
603 POSP540 A POLYGRAM ARUNA side, stamped/etched
603 POSP540 B POLYGRAMB side, stamped
POSP 540 A//5▽420 R 1 2 4Side A runout, stamped, variant 1
ARUNSide A runout, etched, variant 1
POSP 540 B//2▽420 R 1 1 1 1Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
POSP 540 A//6▽ 420 R 11 ARUN 6Side A runout, stamped & etched, variant 2
POSP 540 A//1▽ 420 R 11 3 ARUNSide A runout stamped / etched, variant 1
POSP 540 B//2▽ 420 R 11 3Side B runout stamped, variant 1
JAM 1 A //1 ▽ 420 R 11 1 ARUNSide C runout stamped / etched, variant 1
JAM 1 B//1 ▽ 420 R 11 1Side D runout stamped, variant 1
603 POSP 54 0 A D M POLYGRAM A 3 ARUNSide A runout, variant 1
603 POSP 54 0 B D M POLYGRAM A 2Side B runout, variant 1
603 JAM1 A POLYGRAM ARUNSide C runout, variant 1
603 JAM1 B POLYGRAMSide D runout, variant 1
ARUNSides A + C, Etched -All Variants
POSP 540 A//6▽ 420 R 11 4Side A, Stamped - Variant 1
POSP 540 B//1▽ 420 R 11 8Side B, Stamped - Variant 1
JAM 1 A //2 ▽ 420 R 12 3Side C, Stamped - Variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Polydor 2059 575First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Polydor PEPD 317First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 540 / Polydor 2059 575First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 540 / Polydor 2059 575First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Polydor 2059 575First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Polydor 2141 676First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Polydor 2059 575First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Polydor 2059 575First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2059 575 / Polydor 2095 575First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2141 676First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Spain | Polydor 20 59 575First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor POSPX 540 / Polydor 2141 676First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor POSPX 540First year12", 45 RPM, Advance | 12", 45 RPM, Advance |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor POSP 540 / Polydor 2054 575First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor POSP 540 / Polydor 2059 575First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
30 vinyl pressings of Beat Surrender are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1982 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland and more. One of them is Polydor POSP 540, released November 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSP 540, POSPJ 540, POSPX 540, PODJ 540) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSP 540 A//5▽420 R 1 2 4 ARUN and POSP 540 B//2▽420 R 1 1 1 1. 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.
