Vinyl pressings
by Vangelis · 1985
Mask was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 17 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.
POLH 19 A // 1 ∇ 420 W 1 1 4Runout, A-side, stamped (Variant 1)
PhilRunout, A-side, hand etched
POLH 19 B // 1 ∇ 420 W 1 1 4Runout, B-side, stamped (Variant 1)
POSRunout, A-side, stamped & crossed out (Variant 2)
A- - 422825 245-1-AS-HRM STERLINGRunout A etched except STERLING stamped, variant 1
⊕ A-1 - 422825 245-1-BS-HRM STERLINGRunout B etched except STERLING stamped, variant 1
A- ᐉ 422825‧245-1-AS-HRM STERLINGRunout A etched except ᐉ STERLING stamped, variant 2
⊕ A-1 ᐉ 422825‧245-1-BS-HRM STERLINGRunout B etched except ᐉ STERLING stamped, variant 2
422-8225-245-1-AS-ALD2 a[allied logo] B-21010-ALD2 SLM △ 9320 1-1Side A runout, variant 1, etched
4228225-245-1-BS-H̶R̶M̶ ALD2 a[allied logo] B-21011-ALD SLM △ 9320-X 1-1 STERLING ⓧSide B runout, variant 1, etched, Sterling stamped
422-825-245-1-AS-ALD2 [Allied 'a' logo] B-21010-ALD2 SLM △9320 1-1Side A runout, variant 2
422825.245-1.BS-H̶R̶M̶ ALD [Allied 'a' logo] B-21011-ALD SLM △9320-X 1-1 STERLING ⓍSide B runout, variant 2
825 245 - 1 S 1 320Runout, side A - variant 1
825 245 - 1 S 2 320Runout, side B - variant 1
825 245 - 1 S 1 320 1 KRunout, side A - variant 2
825 245 - 1 S 2 320 F 1Runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | Polygram 825245-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Australia & New Zealand | Polydor 825 245-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Brazil | Polydor 825 245-1 / Polydor 8252451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Polydor VAN 09First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | France | Mercury 825 245-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | France | Polydor 825 245-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | France | Mercury 825 245-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Mercury 825 245-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Ireland | Polydor POLH 19First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Italy | Polydor 825 245-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Polydor 825 245-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Portugal | Polydor POLH 19First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Spain | Polydor 825 245-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Polydor 422-825 245-1 Y-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Polydor 825 245-1 Y-1 / Polydor 422-825 245-1 Y-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Spain | Polydor 825 245-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
25 vinyl pressings of Mask are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1985 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Philippines, Germany and more. One of them is Polydor POLH 19, released March 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLH 19, 422-825 245-1 Y-1, 825 245-1 Y-1, 825 245-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLH 19 A // 1 ∇ 420 W 1 1 4 and Phil. 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.
