Vinyl pressings
by The Jam · 1980
Start! was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
30 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 13 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 POY 2059266 A POLYGRAM A ARUNA side variant 1, stamped/etched
POY603 2059266 B POLYGRAM AB side variant 1, stamped/etched
POY6 03 2059266 ADADM POLYGRAM AC ARUNA side variant 2, stamped/etched
POY603 2059266 B POLYGRAM A 27B side variant 2, stamped
2059266 A//8 E T ARUNA side, stamped/etched
2059266 B//2 E MB side, stamped
603 POY 2059266 A POLYGRAM A ARUNA side variant 1, stamped/etched
POY603 2059266 B POLYGRAM AB side variant 1, stamped/etched
POY6 03 2059266 ADADM POLYGRAM AC ARUNA side variant 2, stamped/etched
POY603 2059266 B POLYGRAM A 27B side variant 2, stamped
2059266 A//8▽E T 1 1 ARUNSide A stamped / etched runout
2059266 B//2▽E M 1 1Side B stamped runout
2059266 mer16 A//1▽E420 polygram I.M. RC-PP ARunout, side A
2059266 mer16 B//1▽EM 1 polygram I.M. ARunout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Polydor 2059 266First year7" | 7" |
| 1980 | Belgium | Polydor 2059 266First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | France | Polydor 2059 266First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | Germany | Metronome 0030.320First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Ireland | Polydor 2059 266First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Italy | Polydor 2059 266First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Italy | Polydor 2059 266First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Japan | Polydor DPQ 6202First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Japan | Polydor DPQ 6202First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Japan | Polydor DPQ6202First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Polydor 2059 266First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Polydor 2059 266First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2059 266First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | Polydor 2059 266First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Spain | Polydor 2059 266First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Mispress | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Mispress |
34 vinyl pressings of Start! are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1980 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Polydor 2059 266, released August 18, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2059 266, PD 2155, PDS 2155, 0030.320) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 603 POY 2059266 A POLYGRAM A ARUN and POY603 2059266 B POLYGRAM A. 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.
