Vinyl pressings
by Petula Clark · 1988
Downtown '88 was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 6 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.
PYS19A-2 - DAMONT BKEtched runout, side A, variant 1
PYS P̶T̶S̶ 19 B-1 2 nT DAMONT XEtched runout, side B, variant 1
PYS19A-2 - DAMONT FEtched runout, side A, variant 2
PYS P̶T̶S̶ 19 B-1 MT DAMONT BEtched runout, side B, variant 2
PYT 19 A-1 T 3 DAMONT M.T.Runout side A, variant 1
PYT 19 B-1 C 3 DAMONT M.T.Runout side B, variant 1
PYT 19 A-1 4 MT DAMONT HRunout side A, variant 2
PYT 19 - B-1 2 MT DAMONT A ARunout side B, variant 2
PYT 19-ASide A label
PYT 19-BSide B label
PYS 86019 -A-Runout side A
PYS 86019 -B-Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | PRT PYT 19First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Australia | PRT PYS 19First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Belgium | Cherry Records PYS 86019First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Belgium | Cherry Records PYD 86019First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Belgium | Cherry Records PYS 86019First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | France | Carrere 14604 / Carrere 14.604First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | France | Carrere 8.969 / Carrere 8969First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Greece | PRT PRT 7545First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Philippines | New York Records NYREP-17235First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | UK | PRT PYS 19 / PRT PYS19First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | UK | PRT PYT 19First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | UK | PRT PYT 19First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Germany | PRT 6.70010 / PRT 6.70010 AE12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Europe | PRT 6.15215 AC / PRT 247 172-77", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of Downtown '88 are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1988 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, Australia, Belgium, France and more. One of them is PRT PYS 19.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PYS 19, PYT 19, PYS 86019, PYD 86019) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PYS19A-2 - DAMONT BK and PYS P̶T̶S̶ 19 B-1 2 nT DAMONT X. 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.
