Vinyl pressings
by Vangelis · 1984
Soil Festivities 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.
23 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 18 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 11 A // 2 ∇ 420 R 1 1 9Side A runout, stamped - Variant 1
POLH 11 B // 2 ∇ 420 R 1 3 1Side B runout, stamped - Variant 1
P OLH 11 A//2∇420 R 11 11Side A runout, stamped - Variant 2
POLH 11 B//2 ∇420 R 1 3 9Side B runout, stamped - Variant 2
POLH 11 A // 2 ∇ 420 R 1 1 1Side A runout, stamped - Variant 1
POLH 11 B // 2 ∇ 420 R 1 3 1Side B runout, stamped - Variant 1
422-823-396⸱1⸱AS-ALD2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-20107-ALD2 STERLING SLM △ 8006 1-1 STERLING ⚾Runout A, etched, exc. ɑ STERLING, stamped
422-823-396-1-BS⸱ALD2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-20108-ALD2 SLM △ 8006-X 1-1 STERLINGRunout B, etched, exc. ɑ STERLING, stamped
▻422823-396-1-AS-HRM STERLING Ⓧ A-1Side A runout
▻422 823 396-1-BS-HRM STERLING Ⓧ A-2Side B runout
823 396 - 1 S 1 2̶ ̶3̶ ̶ 3 20 1 WSide A, stamped
823 396 - 1 S 2 3 20 1 TSide B, stamped
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 | Argentina | Polydor 823 396-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Polydor VAN 08First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | Mercury 823 396-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Polydor 823 396-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | Polydor 823396-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Ireland | Polydor 823 396-1 / Polydor POLH 11First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | Polydor 823 396-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Polydor 823 396-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Polydor 823 396-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Philippines | Polydor 823 396-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Portugal | Polydor 823 396-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | South Africa | Polydor POLY 5649First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | South Korea | Polydor 823 396-1 / Polydor SEL-RG 750First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | Polydor 823 396-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Polydor POLH 11 / Polydor 823 396-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Polydor 823 396-1 / Polydor 8233961LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | Polydor 823 396-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Polydor SPELP 106LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Polydor SPELP 106LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
27 vinyl pressings of Soil Festivities are listed here, from 19 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Germany, Australasia and more. One of them is Polydor POLH 11.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLH 11, 28CM 0395, 28MM 0395, 823 396-1 Y-1, 823 396-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLH 11 A // 2 ∇ 420 R 1 1 9 and POLH 11 B // 2 ∇ 420 R 1 3 1. 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.
