Vinyl pressings
by Tones On Tail · 1984
Pop was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 5 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.
BEGA-51-A1. DAMONT MT.5Runout A, variant 1
BEGA-51-B1. DAMONT MT 5Runout B, variant 1
BEGA-51-A1. DAMONT MT. GARunout A, variant 2
BEGA-51-B1. DAMONT MT. KARunout B, variant 2
BEGA-51-A1. DAMONT MT.5Runout side A
BEGA-51-B1. DAMONT MT 5Runout side B
DM 206335 A-1/84S Made in GermanyRunout Side A, variant 1
DM 206335 B-1/84 S II Made in GermanyRunout Side B, variant 1
DM 206335 A-1/84S IIRunout Side A, variant 2
DM 206335 B-1/84S II Made in GermanyRunout Side B, variant 2
BEGA 51 ASide A runout, etched
BEGA 51 BSide B runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Spain | Grabaciones Accidentales GA-028First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEGA 51First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 206 335 / Virgin 206 335-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Beggars Banquet BEGA 51First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEGA 51First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | SMS Records SP25-5136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | SMS Records SP25-5136First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | Beggars Banquet BBL 51LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | US | Beggars Banquet BBQ 2156 LPELP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Limited |
| 2020 | US | Beggars Banquet BBQ 2156 LPELP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2021 | US | Beggars Banquet BBQ 2156 LPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
11 vinyl pressings of Pop are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1984 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Europe, New Zealand, Japan and more. One of them is Beggars Banquet BEGA 51, released April 6, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BEGA 51, 206 335, SP25-5136, GA-028) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BEGA-51-A1. DAMONT MT.5 and BEGA-51-B1. DAMONT MT 5. 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.
