Vinyl pressings
by Thomas Dolby · 1981
Europa And The Pirate Twins 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.
21 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 10 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.
BILBO TA1PE R 6051 A-2USide A runout, variant 1
NICKZ R 6051 B-3Side B runout, variant 1
BILBO TA1PE R 6051 A-2U 21 1Side A runout, variant 2
NICKZ 1 R 6051 B-3 4Side B runout, variant 2
12R 6051 A - 1 U Bilbo Ta1pe 4 1Runout side A, variant 1
12R 6051 B - 1 U Bilbo Ta1pe 3 1Runout side B, variant 1
12R 6051 A - 1 U 7 1 BILBo · TA1PERunout side A, variant 2
12R 6051 B - 1 U 7 1 BILBo · TA1PERunout side B, variant 2
BILBO TA1PE R 6051 A-2USide A
NICKZ R 6051 B-3Side B
12 R6051 A-1U BilBo TA1PE 1 5Runout side A
12 R6051 B-1U BilBo TA1PE 1 2Runout side B
12R6051ALabel side A
12R6051BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Parlophone ED-60First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Parlophone A-611First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | Parlophone A-611First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Europe | Venice In Peril Records 1A K052Z-07590First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Ireland | EMI R6051First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Parlophone 1A 006-07551First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Parlophone 1A 006-07551First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | New Zealand | EMI 974First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | New Zealand | EMI 995First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Portugal | Valentim De Carvalho 11C 008-07551First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | South Africa | EMI EMIJ 4368First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Spain | EMI 10C 006-007.551First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Spain | EMI 10C 006-007.551First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | EMI R 6051First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | UK | EMI 12 R6051First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
31 vinyl pressings of Europa And The Pirate Twins are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1981 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Italy, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is EMI R 6051.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use R 6051, 12 R6051, 12 r6051, R6051) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BILBO TA1PE R 6051 A-2U and NICKZ R 6051 B-3. 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.
