Vinyl pressings
by Racing Cars · 1976
Downtown Tonight was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 9 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.
CHR 1099 A EG 1 HTM I-10Side A runout, Variant 1
CHR 1099 B HTM 1 EG I-12Side B runout, Variant 1
CHR 1099 A EG 1 HTM I-4Side A runout, Variant 2
CHR 1099 B EG 1 HTM I-5Side B runout, Variant 2
CHR 1099 A EG HTM ORRunout, Side A, etched, variant 1
CHR 1099 B EG HTMRunout, Side B, etched, variant 1
CHR 1099 A EG ⥛ HTM ORRunout, Side A, etched [⥛ stamped], variant 2
CHR 1099 B HTM ⥛ EG ORRunout, Side B, etched [⥛ stamped], variant 2
CHR-1099-A ②Runout side A - etched, variant 1
CHR-1099-B-RE-1 ③Runout side B - etched, variant 1
CHR-1099-A ② > VRunout side A - etched, variant 2
CHR-1099-B-RE-1 ⑤ VRunout side B - etched, variant 2
T CHR-1099-A ② > SXT CSide A runout etched
T1 CHR-1099-B-RE-1 ④ ASide B runout etched
CHR-1099-ASide A label
CHR-1099-BSide B label
CHR-1099-A ② > ARunout Side 1 Etched
CHR-1099-B-RE-1 ① ARunout Side 2 Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Chrysalis L 36039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Chrysalis CHR 1099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Chrysalis 6307 589 / Chrysalis 6307 589 (CHR 1099)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Chrysalis 6307 589First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Ireland | Chrysalis CHR 1099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | Chrysalis CHR 1099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 51-1099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Chrysalis L 36039 / Chrysalis CHR 1099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1099First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1099First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1099First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1099 / Chrysalis CHR-1099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1099First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1099LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1099First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Downtown Tonight are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Chrysalis CHR 1099, released August 31, 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHR 1099, L 36039, 6307 589, 51-1099) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHR 1099 A EG 1 HTM I-10 and CHR 1099 B HTM 1 EG I-12. 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.
