Vinyl pressings
by The Teardrop Explodes · 1981
Reward 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.
10 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 6 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.
TEAR - 2 - A1 DAMONTRunout, A-side, etched, variation 1
TEAR - 2 - B1 DAMONTRunout, B-side, etched, variation 1
TEAR - 2 - A1 DAMONT RAYSRunout, A-side, etched, variation 2
TEAR - 2 - B1 DAMONT PRunout, B-side, etched, variation 2
TEAR 2 A//2∇ E T RAYSA-side runout, variant 1
TEAR 2 B//2∇ E TB-side runout, variant 1
TEAR 2 A//1∇ E T 1 1 8 RAYSA-side runout, variant 2
TEAR 2 B//2∇ E T 1 1 1 2B-side runout, variant 2
TEAR 2 A//1∇ET S̶C̶ 1 4 8 RAYSRunout side A stamped variant 1
TEAR 2 B//2∇E T 1 5 1 8Runout side B stamped variant 1
TEAR 2 A//2 ∇ E T RAYSRunout side A stamped variant 2
TEAR 2 B//2 ∇ E TRunout side B stamped variant 2
TEAR-2-A1 DAMONT RAYSRunout side A, variant 1
TEAR-2-B1 DAMONT JRunout side B, variant 1
TEAR-2-A1 1 DAMONT CT RAYSRunout side A, variant 2
TEAR-2-B1 1 DAMONT CRunout side B, variant 2
TEAR 2 A//2∇ E T RAYSA-side runout
TEAR 2 B//2∇ E TB-side runout
10 AA6059391 1W 320Side A runout
10 AA6059391 2W 320Side B runout
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 | Germany | Mercury 6059 391First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Ireland | Mercury TEAR 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Italy | Mercury 6059 391First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Mercury 6059 391First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Mercury 6059 351First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Mercury TEAR 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Mercury TEAR 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Mercury TEAR 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Mercury TEAR 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Mercury TEAR 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Reward are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Germany, Ireland, Italy and more. One of them is Mercury TEAR 2, released January 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TEAR 2, 6059 391, 6059 351) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TEAR - 2 - A1 DAMONT and TEAR - 2 - B1 DAMONT. 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.
