Vinyl pressings
by The Jam · 1978
David Watts / "A" Bomb In Wardour Street 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.
12 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 6 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.
2059054 A//1 STR STRAWBERRYStamped, side A; STRAWBERRY etched, variant 1
2059054 B//2 STR STRAWBERRYStamped, side B; STRAWBERRY etched, variant 1
2059054 A//2 STR STRAWBERRYStamped, side A; STRAWBERRY etched, variant 2
2059054 B//2 STR STRAWBERRYStamped, side B; STRAWBERRY etched, variant 2
A3 STRAWBERRYA side[Etching] - variant 1
B3 AR-NIB side[Etching] - variant 1
2059 054 A3 STRAWBERRY 2 0A side runout, etched - variant 2
2059 054 B3 2 AR-NI 0B side runout, etched - variant 2
2059 054 A3 STRAWBERRYA side etched
2059 054 B3 AR-NIB side etched
2059054 A//1 STR 1 1 STRAWBERRYA side, stamped, etched, variant 1
2059054 B//2 STR 1 1B side, stamped, variant 1
2059054 A//1 STR 1 1A side runout, stamped
2059054 B//2 STR 1 1B side runout, stamped
STRAWBERRYA side runout, etching
2059054 A//2 STR 1 1 1 3 STRAWBERRYSide A runout, variant 1
2059054 B//1 E 1 1 1 8 AR-NISide B runout, variant 1
2059054 A//1 STR 11 2 STRAWBERRYSide A runout, variant 2
2059054 B//1 E 11 4 AR-NISide B runout, variant 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 | Australia | Polydor 2059 054First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | Europe | Polydor 2059 054First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Ireland | Polydor 2059 054First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | Japan | Polydor DPQ 6109First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | Japan | Polydor DPQ6109First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | UK | Polydor 2059 054First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Polydor 2059 054First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Polydor 2059 054First year7", Single, Misprint | 7", Single, Misprint |
| 1978 | UK | Polydor 2059 054First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | UK | Polydor 2059 054 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | UK | Polydor 2059 054First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1978 | Germany | Polydor 2059 054First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | UK | Polydor 2059 0547", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | UK | Polydor 2059 0547", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor 2059 0547", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor 2059 0547", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Polydor 2059 0547", Single, Repress | 7", Single, Repress |
| ? | UK | Polydor 2059 0547", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Polydor 2059 0547", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of David Watts / "A" Bomb In Wardour Street are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1978 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Germany, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Polydor 2059 054, released August 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2059 054, 2059 054 DJ, DPQ 6109, DPQ6109) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2059054 A//1 STR STRAWBERRY and 2059054 B//2 STR STRAWBERRY. 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.
