Vinyl pressings
by Billy Joel · 1982
Allentown was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 8 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.
I T ZSS 170720 1C STERLINGRun-out A, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
I T ZSS 170721 1C STERLINGRun-out B, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
ZSS 170720Label A
ZSS 170721Label B
I T ZSS 170720 1C STERLINGRun-out A etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
ZSS 170720Label A
ZSS 170720 1E STERLING PSide A, runout, variant 1
ZSS 170721 1G STERLING PSide A, runout, variant 1
ZSS 170720 1G STERLING PSide A, runout, variant 2
ZSS 170721 1G STERLING PSide B, runout, variant 2
P ZSS 170720 1A STERLINGRun-out Side A, Var. 1
P ZSS 170720 1E STERLINGRun-out Side A, Var. 2
ZSS 170720Label Side A
p ZSS 170720 1A STERLINGBoth runouts
ZSS 170720 1AA STERLING GSide A, runout
ZSS 170721 1AA STERLING GSide B, runout
ZSS 170720Side A, Label
ZSS 170721Side B, Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | CBS BA 223011 / Family Productions BA 223011First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Canada | Columbia 38 03413First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Costa Rica | CBS 7012654First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Europe | CBS CBSA 2981 / CBS A-2981First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 674 / Family Productions 07SP 674First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 674First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | New Zealand | CBS BA 223011First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | CBS CBS A2981 / CBS A 2981First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | UK | CBS CBS A2981First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | US | Columbia 38-03413 / Family Productions 38-03413First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1982 | US | Columbia CNR-03426 / Family Productions CNR-03426First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Columbia 38-03413First year7", 45 RPM, Advance | 7", 45 RPM, Advance |
| 1982 | US | Columbia 38-03413 / Family Productions 38-03413First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | US | Columbia 38-03413 / Family Productions 38-03413First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Columbia 38-03413 / Family Productions 38-03413First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia 13-687017", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of Allentown are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1982 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Canada, Costa Rica and more. One of them is Columbia 38-03413, released November 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 38-03413, CNR-03426, CBS A2981, 38 03413) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, I T ZSS 170720 1C STERLING and I T ZSS 170721 1C STERLING. 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.
