Vinyl pressings
by The Jam · 1979
Strange Town was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1979, 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 34 A//2 E STR STRAWBERRYRunout, A-side, stamped/etched, variant 1
POSP 34 B//2 E STR STRAWBERRYRunout, B-side, stamped/etched, ariant 1
POSP 34 A//3 ▽ 1 420 1 21Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 2
POSP 34 B//2 E STR 12 32Runout, B-side, stamped, variant 2
7YPART 86818 M3 326993 M̶3̶ ̶3̶2̶6̶9̶7̶9̶ STRAWBERRY.Run-out Side A, variant 1
7YPART 86819 ¿ M3 326994 M̶3̶ ̶3̶2̶6̶9̶8̶0̶ STRAWBERRYRun-out Side B, variant 1
7YPART 86818 1 1 M3 326993 M̶3̶ ̶3̶2̶6̶9̶7̶9̶ STRAWBERRY.Runout A stamped / etched / stamped / etched, variant 2
7YPART 86819 1 1 M3 326994 M̶3̶ ̶3̶2̶6̶9̶8̶0̶ 1 STRAWBERRYRunout B stamped / etched / stamped / etched, variant 2
POSP 34 A//3 ▽ 1 420 1 2 4Runout A Variant 1
POSP 34 B//2 E STR 14 4 STRAWBERRYRunout B Variant 1
POSP 34 A//2 ▽ 1 420 1 1 1 STRAWBERRYRunout A Variant 2
POSP 34 B//2 E STR 14 12 STRAWBERRYRunout B Variant 2
POSP 34 A//2 E STR 14 3Runout, A-side, stamped
POSP 34 B//2 E STR 13 3Runout, B-side, stamped
STRAWBERRYRunout, both sides, etched
POSP 34 B//2 E STRRunout, B-side, stamped - Variant 1
STRAWBERRYRunout, B-side, etched - Variant 1, 3, 4, 5
POSP 34 A//3 ▽ 1 420 1 21
POSP 34 A//2 E STR 1 6 2
PD 14553-79-NP-4123-S-PPI STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
PD∙14553 79NP 4122∙S∙PP 2X3 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
PD 14553-79-NP-4123-S-PPI STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
PD∙14553 79NP 4122∙S∙PP4 STERLINGSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Germany | Polydor 2059 095First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Japan | Polydor 7DM 0010First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Japan | Polydor 7DM 0010First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Japan | Polydor 7DM 0010First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Spain | Polydor 20 59 095First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Spain | Polydor 20 59 095First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Polydor PD 14553First year7", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | US | Polydor PD 14553First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | US | Polydor PD 14553First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 34 / Polydor 2059 095First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 34 / Polydor 2059 095First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Italy | Polydor 2059 095First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Polydor POSP 34 / Polydor 2059 095First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Polydor POSP 34 / Polydor 2059 095First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Polydor POSP 34 / Polydor 2059 095First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | UK | Polydor POSP 34 / Polydor 2059 0957", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor POSP 34 / Polydor 2059 0957", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor POSP 34 / Polydor 2059 0957", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor POSP 34 / Polydor 2059 0957", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor POSP 34 / Polydor 2059 0957", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor POSP 34 / Polydor 2059 0957", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
24 vinyl pressings of Strange Town are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1979 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Ireland, Italy and more. One of them is Polydor POSP 34, released March 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSP 34, PD 14553, 2059 095, 7DM 0010) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSP 34 A//2 E STR STRAWBERRY and POSP 34 B//2 E 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.
