Vinyl pressings
by Marshall Crenshaw · 1985
Downtown was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
1-25319.A-SH1 ɑ B-21807-SH1 SLM △10507 1-1 STERLINGRunout A
1-25319-B-SH1 ɑ B-21808-SH1 SLM △10507-X 1-1 STERLING ⒽRunout B
STERLING SRC (Large S with the R and C in the loops)Both Sides Stamped
1-2-5319-A-SR1 1-1Side One Etched - variant 1
1-2-5319-B-SR1 1-1Side Two Etched - variant 1
1-2-5319-A-SR3 1-1Side One Etched - variant 2
1-25319-A-SH1 B-21807-SHI SLM△10507 1-1Side One Etched
1-25319-B-SH1 B-21808-SHI SLM△10507-X 1-1Side Two Etched
STERLING "topless lowercase 'a' logo" [looks like a "stamped balloon"]Both Sides Stamped
W1-25319A-1B G2 A6Side One Etched
W1-25319B-1B G1 A2Side Two Etched
92-53191 : A G. [CR in circle]Side A
92-53191 B [CR in circle]Side B
R / S Alsdorf 925319-1 A 3 FRunout side A, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 925319-1 B 3 1Runout side B, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 925319-1 A 3Runout side A, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 925319-1 B 3 D̷ BERunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 53191First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 925 319-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-13204First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-13204First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Warner Bros. Records 9 25319-1 / Warner Bros. Records 1-25319First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Warner Bros. Records 9 25319-1 / Warner Bros. Records 1-25319First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Warner Bros. Records 1-25319 / Warner Bros. Records 9 25319-1LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Warner Bros. Records W1-25319First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Warner Bros. Records 9 25319-1 / Warner Bros. Records 1-25319First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 25319-1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Downtown are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Canada, Germany, Japan. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 9 25319-1, released September 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9 25319-1, W1-25319, 92 53191, 925 319-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1-25319.A-SH1 ɑ B-21807-SH1 SLM △10507 1-1 STERLING and 1-25319-B-SH1 ɑ B-21808-SH1 SLM △10507-X 1-1 STERLING Ⓗ. 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.
