Vinyl pressings
by The Jam · 1981
Funeral Pyre 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.
19 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 12 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.
603 POSP 257 A DM2 POLYGRAMVariant 1 A side [Stamped]
603 POSP 257 A DM2 POLYGRAM A2Variant 2 A side [Stamped]
603 POSP 257 A DM POLYGRAMVariant 3 A side [Stamped]
603 POSP 257 A DM2 POLYGRAM A5Variant 4 A Side [Stamped]
POSP 257 A // 2 ∇ EM ARUNRunout side A, variant 1
POSP 257 B // 1∇ E MRunout side B, variant 1
POSP 257 A // 4 ∇ E M 1 1 ARUNRunout side A, variant 2
POSP 257 B // 3 ∇ E M 1 1Runout side B, variant 2
POSP 257 A// 3∇EM 11 13Runout A side, variant 1
POSP 257 B//1∇EM 11 23Runout B side, variant 1
POSP 257 A//3∇E M 11 11Runout A side, variant 2
POSP 257 B//1∇E M 11 19Runout B side, variant 2
603 POSP 257 A DM2 POLYGRAM ARUNRunout side A, variant 1
603 POSP 257 B DM2 POLYGRAMRunout side B, variant 1
603 POSP 257 A DM POLYGRAM ARUNRunout side A, variant 2
603 POSP 257 B DM1 POLYGRAM ARunout side B, variant 2
603 POSP 257 A DM2 POLYGRAMVariant 1 A side [Stamped]
603 POSP 257 A DM2 POLYGRAM A2Variant 2 A side [Stamped]
603 POSP 257 A DM POLYGRAMVariant 3 A side [Stamped]
603 POSP 257 A DM2 POLYGRAM A5Variant 4 A Side [Stamped]
POSP 257 A//1▽ EM ARUNRunout side A
POSP 257 B//1▽E MRunout side B
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 | Australia | Polydor 2059 351First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | Metronome 0030.395First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | Polydor 2059 351First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Italy | Polydor 2059 351First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Japan | Polydor 7DM 0023First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Japan | Polydor 7DM 0023First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Japan | Polydor 7DM 0023First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2059 351First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Polydor 2059 351First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Polydor 2059 351First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Portugal | Polydor 2059 351First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2059 351First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | Polydor 20 59 351First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 257 / Polydor 2059 351First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 257 / Polydor 2059 351First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
20 vinyl pressings of Funeral Pyre are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1981 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Ireland, Australia, Germany and more. One of them is Polydor POSP 257, released May 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSP 257, 2059 351, 0030.395, 7DM 0023) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 603 POSP 257 A DM2 POLYGRAM and 603 POSP 257 A DM2 POLYGRAM A2. 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.
