Vinyl pressings
by Monie Love · 1989
Grandpa's Party was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1989, 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.
COOLX-184-A1 DSide A runout hand-etched/stamped, variant 1
COOLX-184-B.1 ASide B runout hand-etched/stamped, variant 1
COOL.X.184.A1 ⥛ <Side A runout hand-etched/stamped, variant 2
COOL.X.184.B1 ⥛ <Side B runout hand-etched/stamped, variant 2
COOLXR 184 A1 3 VEtchings side A, Variant 1
COOLXR 184 B1 3 VEtchings side B, Variant 1
COOLXR 184 A1 1 0 <Etchings side A, Variant 2
COOLXR 184 B1 4 0Etchings side B, Variant 2
COOL.184.A1 2 (on side) <Side A runout groove hand etched
COOL.184.B.1 2 (on side) <Side B runout groove hand etched
COOLXW 184 A1 3Runout side A, stamped, except [3] etched
COOLXW. 184. B1 ΛRunout side B, stamped, except [Λ] etched
COOLXW 184-ALabel side-A
COOLXW 184-BLabel side-B
COOLXR 184 A1 [:1 V]Side A, etched/[stamped]
COOLXR. 184 B1 [1 0 V]Side B, etched/[stamped]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | Chrysalis ED 438First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Australia | Chrysalis CHS 2280First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Australia | Cooltempo ED 438 / Chrysalis ED 438First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Europe | Chrysalis 612 344 / Cooltempo 612 344First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | Europe | Chrysalis 112 344 / Cooltempo 112 344First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Greece | Chrysalis Chrysalis 4809First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | Cooltempo COOLX 184First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | Cooltempo COOLXR 184First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | UK | Cooltempo COOL 184First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | Cooltempo COOLXW 184First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | Cooltempo COOLXR 184 / Chrysalis COOLXR 184First year12", 45 RPM, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, Misprint |
11 vinyl pressings of Grandpa's Party are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, Australia, Europe, Greece. One of them is Cooltempo COOLX 184.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use COOLX 184, COOLXR 184, COOL 184, COOLXW 184) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, COOLX-184-A1 D and COOLX-184-B.1 A. 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.
