Vinyl pressings
by The Jam 路 1982
The Bitterest Pill 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.
28 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 16 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 505 A POLYGRAM A A4 ARUNSide A runout, stamped/etched, variant 1
603 POSP 505 B POLYGRAM A B2Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
603POSP 505 A POLYGRAM B5 ARUNSide A runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
603 POSP 505 B POLYGRAM A5Side B runout, stamped, variant 2
603 POSP 505 A POLYGRAM ARUNRunout side A, variant 1
603 POSP 505 B POLYGRAMRunout side B, variant 1
603 POSP 505 A POLYGRAM A ARUN B2Runout side A, variant 2
A 603 POSP 505 B A A2Runout side B, variant 2
60 3POSP 5 05 A POLYGRAM 饜悞 ARUN B4Runout side A
603 POSP 505 B POLYGRAM 饜悞 A8Runout side B
603 POSP 505 ADM POLYGRAM A10 ARUN ARunout side A
603 POSP 505 B POLYGRAM 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australasia | Polydor 2141 635First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Australia | Polydor 2059 545First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Australia | Polydor 2059 545First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Belgium | Polydor 2059 546First year7" | 7" |
| 1982 | Greece | Polydor 2059 546First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 505 / Polydor 2059 546First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Italy | Polydor 2059 546First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Japan | Polydor 7DM 0064First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Japan | Polydor 7DM 0064First year7", 45 RPM, Promo 路 Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo 路 Promo |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Polydor 2141 635First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Polydor 2229 260 / Polydor POSP 505First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Polydor 2059 545First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Polydor 2059 545First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2059 546First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2059 546First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
30 vinyl pressings of The Bitterest Pill are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1982 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, France, Germany and more. One of them is Polydor POSP 505, released September 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSP 505, PX-1-506, 2059 546, 0030.573) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 603 POSP 505 A POLYGRAM A A4 ARUN and 603 POSP 505 B POLYGRAM A B2. 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.
