Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Costello · 1980
New Amsterdam was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 4 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.
XX5 A-1 W-3 KD cbsRunout side A, variant 1
XX5 B-1 W-3 KD TY CBSRunout side B, variant 1
XX5 A-1 W-1 timtom cbsRunout side A, variant 2
XX5 B-1 W-5 KD TY CBSRunout side B, variant 2
XX 5E A-1 1 timtom-cbs D VSide A runout, variant 1
XX 5E B-1 1 D F TY-CBSSide B runout, variant 1
XX 5E A-1 1 timtom-cbs A KSide A runout, variant 2
XX 5E B-1 1 A G TY-CBSSide B runout, variant 2
XX 5E A-1 timtom-cbsRunout side A
XX 5E B-1 TY-cbsRunout side B
XX5P-ALabel side A
XX5P-BLabel side B
XX 5E A-1 timtom-cbsRunout Side A
XX 5E B-1 TY-cbsRunout Side B
XX5P-ALabel Side A
XX5P-BLabel Side B
XX5PROMO
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | F-Beat XXEP5First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1980 | Netherlands | F-Beat WEA 18288First year7", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | UK | F-Beat XX5PFirst year7", 45 RPM, EP, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1980 | Japan | F-Beat P-615XFirst year7", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | UK | F-Beat XX5First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | F-Beat XX5EFirst year7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | F-Beat XX5PFirst year7", 45 RPM, EP, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | UK | F-Beat XX 5 PROMOFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | UK | F-Beat XX5PFirst year7", 45 RPM, EP, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1980 | Japan | F-Beat P-615X / F-Beat SP-615XFirst year7", 45 RPM, EP, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Promo · Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of New Amsterdam are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Japan, Australia, Netherlands. One of them is F-Beat XX5, released June 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use XX5, XX5E, XX5P, XX 5 PROMO) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XX5 A-1 W-3 KD cbs and XX5 B-1 W-3 KD TY CBS. 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.
