Vinyl pressings
by The Passions · 1981
I'm In Love With A German Film Star 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.
16 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
POSP 222 A//1▽E S TR 1 1 10 STRAWBERRYRunout side A variant 1
POSP 222 B//1▽E S TR 1 1 9Runout side B variant 1
POSP 222 A//1▽E S TR 1 1 6 STRAWBERRYRunout side A variant 2
POSP 222 B//1▽E S TR 1 1 5Runout side B variant 2
POSP - 222·A·1 ⋀ •STRAWBERRY•Runout side A, etched / stamped
POSP - 222.B.1 ⋀Runout side B, etched
POSP 222 A//1▽E S TR STRAWBERRYRunout side A, stamped
POSP 222 B//1▽E S TRRunout side B, stamped
POSP 222 A//1▽E S TR 1 1 10 STRAWBERRYRunout side A, stamped
POSP 222 B//1▽E S TR 1 1 9Runout side B, stamped
POSP - 222·A·1 ⋀ •STRAWBERRY•Runout side A, etched / stamped
POSP - 222.B.1 ⋀Runout side B, etched
POSP-222·A-1 •STRAWBERRY• DRunout side A, etched / stamped
POSP-222-B-1 DRunout side B, etched
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 314First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Belgium | Polydor 2059 314First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Polydor 2059 314First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Metronome 0030.371First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 222 / Polydor 2059 314First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Italy | Polydor 2059 314First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2059 314First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Polydor 2059 314First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Portugal | Polydor 2059314First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Spain | Polydor 20 59 314First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 222 / Polydor 2059 314First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 222 / Polydor 2059 314First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 222 / Polydor 2059 314First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 222 / Polydor 2059 314First year7", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POSP 222 / Polydor 2059 314First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of I'm In Love With A German Film Star are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, Belgium, France and more. One of them is Polydor POSP 222, released February 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSP 222, 2059 314, 0030.371, 2059314) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSP 222 A//1▽E S TR 1 1 10 STRAWBERRY and POSP 222 B//1▽E S TR 1 1 9. 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.
