Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Costello & The Attractions · 1984
The Only Flame In Town 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.
24 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 10 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.
XX.37.Z.A1 C Λ POUNDA TA1PESide A runout, variant 1
XX.37.Z.B-1 C ΛSide B runout, variant 1
∙XX.37.Z.A-1 5 POUNDA TA1PE ASide A runout, variant 2
∙XX.37.Z.B-1 7 ASide B runout, variant 2
XX-37-A-1 POUNDA TA1PE BRunout A
XX-37-B-1 [e?] ARunout B
XX 37 T.A1 D POUNDA TA1PESide A runout, variant 1
XX-37-T-B-1 ASide B runout, variant 1
XX.37.T.A1 POUNDA TA1PE DSide A runout, variant 2
XX-37-T-B-1 ASide B runout, variant 2
P ZSS-171782-2 -AB MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr. :^)Runout A, etched (FRANKFORD/WAYNE stamp)
ZSS- P P Z̶S̶P̶-171783-2-AB MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr. :^)Runout B, etched (FRANKFORD/WAYNE stamp)
ZSS 171782Label A
ZSP 171783Label B
P ZSS-171782-2 -AB MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr. :^)Runout A, etched (FRANKFORD/WAYNE stamp)
ZSS- P P Z̶S̶P̶-171783-2-AB MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr. :^)Runout B, etched (FRANKFORD/WAYNE stamp)
ZSS 171782Label A
ZSP 171783Label B
X̶S̶S̶ ̶1̶7̶1̶7̶1̶0̶-̶1̶A̶ XSS 171909-1C G1 A 4Side A runout [etched]
XSS 171910-1C G1 A 1OSide B runout [etched]
XSS 171909Side A label
XSS 171910Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia & New Zealand | F-Beat 104291First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia & New Zealand | F-Beat TDS229First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Columbia 38 04502First year7", Single, Mono, Stereo · Mono | 7", Single, Mono, Stereo · Mono |
| 1984 | France | F-Beat ZB 68199First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Italy | F-Beat ZB - 68199First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | Japan | F-Beat RPS-1008First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1984 | Netherlands | F-Beat ZB 68199First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | New Zealand | F-Beat 104291First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Spain | RCA ZC-68202First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1984 | Spain | F-Beat ZB-68199First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | UK | F-Beat XX37 / F-Beat XX 37First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | F-Beat XX37T / F-Beat XX 37TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Columbia 44 05081 / Columbia 44-05081First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Columbia 44-05081 / Columbia 44 05081First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Columbia 38-04502First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
24 vinyl pressings of The Only Flame In Town are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Japan, Canada and more. One of them is F-Beat XX37Z, released August 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use XX37Z, XX37, XX37T, 38-04502) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XX.37.Z.A1 C Λ POUNDA TA1PE and XX.37.Z.B-1 C Λ. 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.
