Vinyl pressings
by The Moody Blues · 1983
Blue World was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 11 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.
TH 30 A//4▽420 H 11 8 TOWN HOUSESide A, stamped
TH 30 B//4▽420 H 11 3 TOWN HOUSESide B, stamped
ZPDR 65428Label Matrix - Side A
ZPDR 65386Label Matrix - Side B
THX 30 A // 3 ∇ 420 H 11 2 TOWN HOUSESide 1, stamped
THX 30 B // 2 ∇ 420 H 111 TOWN HOUSESide 2, stamped
ZPDR 65383Side 1 Label
ZPDR 65386Side 2 Label
ZPDR 65428Label Matrix - Side A
ZPDR 65386Label Matrix - Side B
TH 30 A //4 ∇ 420 H 1 2 4 TOWN HOUSESide A, stamped
TH 30 B //4 ∇ 420 H 1 1 4 TOWN HOUSESide B, stamped
TOS1449-ALabel Matrix - Side A
TOS1449-ALabel Matrix - Side B
TR 605 2 57549 S1 BW 1 STERLING EDPRunout A etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ EDP stamps)
TR 605 2 57558 S1 BW1 STERLING EDPRunout B etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ EDP stamps)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Unknown | Threshold TOS 1449 / Threshold 810 178-7First year7" | 7" |
| 1983 | Australia | Threshold 810 178-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Threshold TRS 605First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Threshold DJT 123First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | France | Threshold 810 178-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Threshold 6.13 922 AC / Threshold 6.13 922First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1983 | Germany | Threshold 6.13 922 AC / Threshold 6.13 922First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | Threshold TH 30First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | Threshold TH 30First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Japan | Threshold S07P-1045First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Japan | Threshold S07P-1045First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Threshold 810 178-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Portugal | Threshold 810 178-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Spain | Threshold 9-29 013First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Spain | Threshold TH 30 / Threshold 9 - 09 017First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of Blue World are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Threshold TH 30.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TH 30, THX 30, TOS 1449, TR 605) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TH 30 A//4▽420 H 11 8 TOWN HOUSE and TH 30 B//4▽420 H 11 3 TOWN HOUSE. 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.
