Vinyl pressings
by Booker Newberry III · 1983
Love Town was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. 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 1983, the album's first year, in 9 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.
IP 120.16.007-A Made In Germany SSTRunout, side A
IP 120.16.007-B Made In Germany SSTRunout, side B
IP 100,16,013 BZ 3423-A SSTRunout A
IP 100,16,013 BZ 3424-B SSTRunout B
BZ 3423Label A
BZ 3424Label B
POSPX 613 A // 1 ∇ 420 WRunout, A-side, stamped variant 1
POSPX 613 B // 1 ∇ 420 WRunout, B-side, stamped variant 1
POSPX 613 A // 1 ∇ 420 W 1 1 3Runout, A-side, stamped variant 2
POSPX 613 B // 1 ∇ 420 W 1 1 2Runout, B-side, stamped variant 2
POSPX 613 A // 3 ∇ 420 FRA ORLAKERunout side A, stamped/etched
POSPX 613 B // 3 ∇ 420 FRARunout side B, stamped
POSP613A //2▽W 1 11Runout side A - variant 1
POSP613B//1▽W 1 6Runout side B - variant 1
POSP613A //1▽420W .1 18Runout side A - variant 2
POSP613B//1▽420W 1 2Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Unknown | The Boardwalk Entertainment Co NB-12-183-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Europe | Polydor International 813 331-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | France | Polydor 813 744-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | France | Polydor 813 744-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 613First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Italy | Polydor 813 744-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Polydor 813 744-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | South Africa | The Boardwalk Entertainment Co TRM 9007First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor POSPX 613 / Montage POSPX 613First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor POSP 613 / Polydor 813 331-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor POSPX 613First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor POSPX 613 / Montage POSPX 613First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | The Boardwalk Entertainment Co NB 99905-9First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | The Boardwalk Entertainment Co NB 99905-9First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | The Boardwalk Entertainment Co NB-99905-9First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | US | Hot Classics HCL 223812", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue, Special Edition | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue, Special Edition |
24 vinyl pressings of Love Town are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1983 and 1993.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in Germany, UK, US, Europe and more. One of them is The Boardwalk Entertainment Co 120·16·007, released June 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 120·16·007, 100·16·013, NB-12-183-7, POSPX 613) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IP 120.16.007-A Made In Germany SST and IP 120.16.007-B Made In Germany SST. 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.
