US
1974- Label and catalog number
- ABC Records ABDP-848
- Format
- LP, Album

Vinyl pressings
by Jerry Goldsmith · 1974
Chinatown was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 7 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.
P̷A̷S̷-̷1̷0̷4̷6̷-̷A̷-̷1̷ ABDP-848-A1-1-1 DSide A, etched
P̷A̷S̷-̷1̷0̷4̷6̷-̷B̷-̷1̷ ABDP-848-B-1-1-1 DSide B, etched
PRSides A&B; etched
ABDP-848 -A1-1-1 D PRA Side Runout
ABDP3-B A B D P - 8 4 8 B D PRB Side Runout
ABDP-848 AA Side Label
ABDP-848 BB Side Label
P̷A̷S̷-̷1̷0̷4̷6̷-̷A̷-̷1̷ ABDP-848-A1-1-1 DSide A, etched
P̷A̷S̷-̷1̷0̷4̷6̷-̷B̷-̷1̷ ABDP-848-B-1-1-1 DSide B, etched
PRSides A&B; etched
ABCL 5068 A-1Uon dead wax Side 1
ABCL 5068 B-1Uon dead wax Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Argentina | Music Hall 50-14.141First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Argentina | Music Hall 50-14.141First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Australia | ABC Records L 35319First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Australia | Interfusion L 35319First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | ABC Records 2C 064-96057 / ABC Records 2C 064-96.057First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | EMI 1C 056-96 057 / EMI Electrola 1C 056-96 057First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Italy | EMI 3C 064-96057First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Sumiya Ltd. SMY-1006LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 1974 | UK | ABC Records ABCL 5068First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | ABC Records ABDP-848First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | ABC Records ABDP-848First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | ABC Records ABDP-848First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | ABC Records ABDP-848First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | ABC Records ABDP-848First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Brazil | RGE 304.0049LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Germany | MCA Records 255 092-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Unknown | Cinewax CINE807LP-BLACKLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2016 | US | ABC Records ABDP-848LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2016 | US | Cinewax CINE 807 / Universal Music Special Markets B0024576-01LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
21 vinyl pressings of Chinatown are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1974 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is ABC Records ABDP-848.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ABDP-848, ABCL 5068, 50-14.141, L 35319) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. 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.

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