Vinyl pressings
by Kurtis Blow · 1983
Party Time 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.
13 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
812-688-1 PRC-C 1-1 A MASTERDISK HWRunout side A, variant 1
812-688-1 PRC-C 1-1 MASTERDISK HW BRunout side B, variant 1
A-1 ⟷ 812688 1-2·5745 2- LONG - HRM MASTERDISK HWRunout side A, variant 2
A-1 ⟷ 812 688-1-2·57453 · HRM MASTERDISK HWRunout side B, variant 2
812687 7-2-57452-BW EDPA Side runout
812687-7-2 57453-BW EDPB Side runout
2-57452A-Side Label
2-57453B-Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Germany | Mercury 812 688-1First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Germany | Mercury 812 687-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Mercury 7PP-118First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury BLOW 1112 / Mercury 812 688-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury BLOW DJ 1112First year12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury BLOW 1112First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1983 | US | Mercury 812 688-1First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Mercury MK 248First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Mercury 812 687-7 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Mercury 812 687-7First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Mercury 812 687-7First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Mercury 812 687-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury BLOW 11 / Mercury 812687-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Club JABX 1212", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Club JABX 12 DJ12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
16 vinyl pressings of Party Time are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1983 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Germany, Japan. One of them is Mercury 812 688-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 812 688-1, 812 687-7, MK 248, 812 687-7 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 812-688-1 PRC-C 1-1 A MASTERDISK HW and 812-688-1 PRC-C 1-1 MASTERDISK HW B. 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.
