Vinyl pressings
by Vangelis · 1979
China = 中國 was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
40 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 14 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.
POL 2310658 1Y 380 POLYGRAM Λ 3 1Side A stamped runouts
POL 2310 658 2Y 380 POLYGRAM Λ 2 5Side B stamped runouts
2310 658 1Side A label
2310 658 2Side B label
POL 2310658 1Y 380 POLYGRAM Λ 3 1Side A, runout
POL 2310 658 2Y 380 POLYGRAM Λ 2 5Side B, runout
POL 2310658 1Y 380 POLYGRAM Λ 3 1Side A, runout
POL 2310 658 2Y 380 POLYGRAM Λ 2 5Side B, runout
POLD 5018 A // 1 ▽ E UT 1 1 1 C 1 2Side A, stamped, variant 1
POLD 5018 B // 2 ▽ E UT 1 1 1Side B, stamped, variant 1
POLD 5018 A // 2 ▽ E UT 1 1 8Side A, stamped, variant 2
POLD 5018 B // 2 ▽ E UT 1 1 6Side B, stamped, variant 2
POLD 5018 A//2∇B UT 11 6 [Symbol - Lyre] VangelisRunout, side A, stamped & etched
POLD 5018 B//1∇✶B UT 11 15 [Symbol - Lyre] VangelisRunout, side B, stamped & etched
POLD 5018 A // 1 ▽ E UT 13 1Side A, stamped, version 1
POLD 5018 B // 3 ▽ 420W 11 3Side B, stamped, version 1
POLD 5018 A // 2 ▽ E UT 11 5Side A, stamped, version 2
POLD 5018 B // 1 ▽ * E UT 11 3Side B, stamped, version 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australasia | Polydor 2310 658First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6199First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6199First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6199First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Polydor 2310 658 / Polydor 2310658First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | France | Polydor 2310 658 / Polydor 2310658LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1979 | France | Polydor 2310 658 / Polydor 2310658First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | France | Polydor 2310 658 / Polydor 2310658First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Polydor 2344 131First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Polydor 2344 131First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Germany | Polydor 2344 131LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1979 | Israel | Polydor 2344 131First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Polydor 2310 658First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Polydor 2310 658First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Polydor MPF 1253First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | Polydor 2344131LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | South Africa | Polydor POLY 5535LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Mexico | Polydor LPR 16465 / Polydor 2310 658LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Mexico | Polydor LPR 16604 / Polydor 2310 658LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor SPELP 19 / Polydor 2302 090LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor SPELP 19 / Polydor 2302 090LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Spain | Polydor 23 10 658LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | South Korea | Polydor 2344 131LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Colombia | Polydor 813653 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1991 | Spain | Polydor 813 653-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Polydor VAN 05LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Polydor 2310 658LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2344 131LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2344 131LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2344 131LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2344 131LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2344 131LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2344 131LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Spain | Polydor 23 10 658LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Polydor 813-653-1 / Polydor PD1 6199LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Polydor PD-1-6199 / Polydor 2310 658LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Polydor PD-1-6199 / Polydor 2310 658LP, Album | LP, Album |
65 vinyl pressings of China = 中國 are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1979 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in France, UK, US, Japan and more. One of them is Polydor 2310 658.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2310 658, POLD 5018, PD-1-6199, MPF 1253) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POL 2310658 1Y 380 POLYGRAM Λ 3 1 and POL 2310 658 2Y 380 POLYGRAM Λ 2 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.
