Vinyl pressings
by Vangelis · 1981
Chariots Of Fire 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.
51 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 24 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.
POLS1026 A // 1 ▽ E STR 11 12 STRAWBERRY UYLSSESRunout, side A, variant 1
POLS1026 B // 1 ▽ E STR 12 STRAWBERRY UYLSSESRunout, side B, variant 1
POLS1026 A//1▽E STR 1 2 ·STRAWBERRY· / UYLSSES [squiggly M]Runout, side A, variant 2
POLS1026 B//1▽E STR 1 2 / ·STRAWBERRY· / ULYSSES [squiggly M]Runout, side B, variant 2
POLS1026 A//1∇E STR 11 12Stamped Runout, Side A
POLS1026 B//1∇E STR 12Stamped Runout, Side B
STRAWBERRY UYLSSESHand Etched Runout, Sides A and B
POLS1026 A // 3 ∇ E 420Variant 1 - Side 1
POLS1026 B // 2 ∇ E 420Variant 1 - Side 2
POLS1026 A // 2 ∇ E 420Variant 2 - Side 1
POLS1026 B // 3 ∇ E 420Variant 2 - Side 2
PD1 6335-AS PRC R-5-1-1 STERLINGRunout Side A Etched, except STERLING Stamped, variant 1
PD 1 6335 BS PRC-3-1-1111 STERLINGRunout Side B Etched, except STERLING Stamped, variant 1
PD1 6335-AS PRC 04-1-1 STERLINGRunout Side A Etched, except STERLING Stamped, variant 2
PD 1 6335 BS PRC-03-1-111 STERLINGRunout Side B Etched, except STERLING Stamped, variant 2
PD-1-6335-AS-PW 1 (PR) STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
PD-1-6335-BS-PW 1 (PR) STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
PD-1-6335-AS-PW-3 (PR) STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
PD-1-6335-BS-PW-3 (PR) STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
PD1 6335 AS PRC-C-3-1 STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
PD1 6335 BS PRC-C-3-1 STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
PD1 6335 AS PRC-C-2-1 STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
PD1 6335 BS PRC-C-2-1 STERLINGRunout side B, variant 2
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 | Argentina | Polydor 2383602 / Polydor 6028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australasia | Polydor 2383 602First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australasia | Polydor 2383 602First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Austria | Polydor 2383 602First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | Polydor 2383 602First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | Polydor 2383 602First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6335First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6335First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6335First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6335First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6335First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6335First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ecuador | Polydor LP-75206First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Polydor 2383 602First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Polydor 2383 602LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Spain | Polydor 800 020-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1991 | Spain | Polydor 800 020-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Polydor 2383 602LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | 20th Century Fox Records PD-1-6335 / Polydor PD-1-6335LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2383 602LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Spain | Polydor 23 83 602LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | Polydor 23 83 602LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Spain | Polydor 23 83 602LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Taiwan | Liming Record LM 3156LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Polydor PD-1-6335LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
89 vinyl pressings of Chariots Of Fire are listed here, from 32 countries, released between 1981 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Italy, Japan and more. One of them is Polydor POLS 1026.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLS 1026, PD-1-6335, 2383 602, 28MM 0033) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLS1026 A // 1 ▽ E STR 11 12 STRAWBERRY UYLSSES and POLS1026 B // 1 ▽ E STR 12 STRAWBERRY UYLSSES. 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.
