Vinyl pressings
by ABC · 1987
Alphabet City was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1987, 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.
NTRH-4.A-1 MT. TOWNHOUSE 5 11Side A etched, variant 1
NTRH-4.B2 MT. TOWNHOUSE 1 11Side B etched, variant 1
NTRH-4.A-1 MT. TOWNHOUSE 2 11Side A runout, etched [stamped 2 11], variant 2
NTRH-4.B2 MT. TOWNHOUSE 5 11Side B runout, etched [stamped 5 11], variant 2
B-1 ᐉ 422832391-1-AS-HRM 1Runout, Side A
STERLING A-1 ᐉ 422832391-1-BS-HRM 1Runout, Side B
422832391-1-A5-3̷ ̷4̷R̷M̷ SP 1-1 [Specialty logoSide A Runout, Etched/Stamped
422832391-1-B5-SP 1-1 STERLING [Specialty logoSide A Runout, Etched/Stamped
A- R-143756-A-1Etched, Side 1
A- R-143756-B-1Etched, Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Brazil | Mercury 832 391-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Canada | Vertigo 832 391-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | Mercury 832 391-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | Mercury 832 391-1 / Polygram 832 391-4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Greece | Mercury 832 391-1 / Polygram 832 391-4LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Israel | Mercury 832 391-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | Mercury 832 391-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Mexico | Mercury LPR 19164 / Mercury 832 391-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Philippines | Mercury 832 391-1First yearLP | LP |
| 1987 | Portugal | Mercury 832 391-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | South Africa | Mercury 832391-1 / Phonogram 832391-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | Mercury 832 391-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Neutron Records NTRH 4First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | Mercury 422 832 391-1 Q-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Mercury 422 832 391-1 Q-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
24 vinyl pressings of Alphabet City are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Australia, Japan and more. One of them is Neutron Records NTRH 4.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NTRH 4, 422 832 391-1 Q-1, 832 391-1 Q-1, 832 391-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, NTRH-4.A-1 MT. TOWNHOUSE 5 11 and NTRH-4.B2 MT. TOWNHOUSE 1 11. 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.
