Vinyl pressings
by Petula Clark · 1964
Downtown was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1964, 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.
GA-14252-1BSide A runout, variant 1
GA-14253-1ASide B runout, variant 1
GA-14252-1BSide A runout, variant 2
GA-14253-1ASide B runout, variant 2
GA-14252-1KRunout - Stamped - Side A, Variant 1
GA 14253-1KRunout - Etched - Side B, Variant 1
GA-14252-1GRunout - Stamped - Side A, Variant 2
GA 14253-1GRunout - Stamped - Side B, Variant 2
G A-14252-1FRunout - Stamped - Side A, Variant 1
G A 14253-1ERunout - Stamped - Side B, Variant 1
G A-14252-1C TIRunout - Stamped - Side A, Variant 2
G A 14253-1C TIIIIRunout - Stamped - Side B, Variant 2
GA-14252-1C TIISide A Runout
GA-14253-1CTIISide B Runout
GA14252Side A Label
GA14253Side B Label
45XX 1722A-3SSide A, runout, stamped
45XX 1722B-3SSide B, runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 5494First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Germany | Vogue Schallplatten DV 14256First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Germany | Vogue Schallplatten DV 14256First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Germany | Vogue Schallplatten DV 14256First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Germany | Vogue Schallplatten DV 14256First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Netherlands | Disques Vogue DV 14256First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1964 | Netherlands | Disques Vogue DV 14256First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1964 | New Zealand | Pye Records 7N-15722First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | New Zealand | Pye Records 7N-15722First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Nigeria | Philips 7N.15722First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | UK | Pye Records 7N.15722First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | UK | Pye Records 7N.15722First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | UK | Pye Records 7N.15722First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | UK | Pye Records 7N.15722First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | US | Warner Bros. Records 5494First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Vogue Productions V-41717", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Jamaica | Warner Bros. Records 54947", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | Pye Records 7N.157227", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | UK | Pye Records 7N.157227", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
29 vinyl pressings of Downtown are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1964 and 1967.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 5494.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5494, 7N.15722, DV 14256, 7N-15722) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GA-14252-1B and GA-14253-1A. 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.
