Vinyl pressings
by Bob James · 1981
All Around The Town was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. 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 1981, the album's first year, in 11 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.
AL 36787-3E CSide A, stamped (Variant 1)
BL 36787-3DSide B, stamped (Variant 1)
AL 36788-4D [etched S2 C2]Side C, stamped (Variant 1)
BL 36788-4ASide D, stamped (Variant 1)
AL 36787-3A SSide A, stamped (except for "S," etched)
BL 36787-3BSide B, stamped
AL 36788-4A S1 ASide C, stamped (except for "S1 A," etched)
P BL 36788-4C S1 A2Side D, stamped (except for "S1 A2," etched)
P AL 36787-3E BSide A runout
P BL 36787-3A CSide B runout
P AL 36788-4G 1 ASide C runout
P BL 36788-4C S1 SX ESide D runout
PXT AL-36787-3E BRunout A
PXT BL-36787-3A CRunout B
AL 36788-4B S1 SXT BRunout C
P BL 36788-4C S1 SXT BRunout D
CBS-S 88509 A1 / 84620 A1A side, etched
CBS-S 88509 B1 / 84620 B1B side, etched
CBS-S 88509 C1 / 84621 A1C side, etched
CBS-S 88509 D1 / 84621 B1D side, etched
MX 194030 S2BP 220236 SBP 237573-1 DSide A Record 1
MX 194031 S2BP 220236 SBP 237573-2 DSide B Record 1
MX 194032 S2BP 220236 SBP 237573-3 DSide A Record 2
MX 194033 S2BP 220236 SBP 237574-2 DSide B Record 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Tappan Zee Records S2BP 220 236 / Tappan Zee Records SBP 237574First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | CBS S2BP 220236 / Tappan Zee Records S2BP 220236First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Columbia C2X 36786 / Tappan Zee Records C2X 36786First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS CBS 88509 / CBS 88509First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS CBS 88509 / CBS 88509First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony 38AP 1947-8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Tappan Zee Records 38AP 1947~8 / CBS/Sony 38AP 1947~8First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Mexico | CBS LP2S-106First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | CBS S2BP 220 236First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Philippines | Tappan Zee Records LP 1499 / CBS/Sony 1499First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | CBS S 88509First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Columbia C2X 36786 / Tappan Zee Records C2X 36786First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Columbia C2X 36786 / Tappan Zee Records C2X 36786First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia C2X 36786 / Tappan Zee Records C2X 36786First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia C2X 36786 / Tappan Zee Records C2X 36786First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of All Around The Town are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia C2X 36786.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C2X 36786, CBS 88509, S2BP 220236, 38AP 1947-8) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 36787-3E C and BL 36787-3D. 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.
