Vinyl pressings
by Pete Townshend · 1985
Face The Face 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.
32 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 14 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.
R/S Alsdorf 258858-0 A TimTom DRunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 258858-0 Bxx TYRunout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 258858-0 A TimTomRunout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 258858-0 X TY "D"Runout side B, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 258859-7 A timtom D 8Runout side A, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 258859-7 B 68Runout side B, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 258859-7 A BE timtomRunout side A, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 258859-7 B TY 19Runout side B, variant 2
U 8859 T-A MT1 DAMONT timtomSide 1 etched
U 8859T -B MT1 DAMONT TYSide 2 etched
U 8859(T) ALabel side A
U 8859(T) BLabel side B
U 8859-A timtom MT. 1Runout (Etched) Side A
U 8859-B TY MT. 1Runout (Etched) Side B
U 8859 ALabel Side A
U 8859 BLabel Side B
U 8859-A DAMONT RAYSRunout (Etched) Side A
U 8859-BTY MTRunout (Etched) Side B
U 8859 ALabel Side A
U 8859 BLabel Side B
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 | Australia | Atco Records 7-258859First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Australia & New Zealand | ATCO Records 0-258858First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | ATCO Records 79 68330First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Canada | ATCO Records 79 95907First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | ATCO Records 79 95907First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Ecuador | Atlantic 45-73062 / ATCO Records 258 859-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Europe | ATCO Records 258 858-0 / ATCO Records U 8859TFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Europe | ATCO Records 258 859-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | ATCO Records 258 859-7 / ATCO Records 25 8859-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Italy | ATCO Records 25 8859 7 / ATCO Records 25 8859-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Mexico | WEA PRO-106First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Peru | WEA F-WEA 2499535.0First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | South Africa | Atlantic ATS 1067First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Spain | ATCO Records 25 8859-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Spain | ATCO Records 25 8859-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Atco Records 7-2588597", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
33 vinyl pressings of Face The Face are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Europe, UK, US, Japan and more. One of them is ATCO Records 258 858-0.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 258 858-0, 258 859-7, U 8859(T), U 8859) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 258858-0 A TimTom D and R/S Alsdorf 258858-0 Bxx TY. 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.
