Vinyl pressings
by That Petrol Emotion · 1987
Big Decision was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 8 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.
TPE-1-A-1 MT. 1 1 TOWNHOUSE 3 WHO CONTROLS THE PAST CONTROLS THE FUTURERunout etched side A
TPE-1-B-1 MT. 1 1 TOWNHOUSE 4 WHO CONTROLS THE PRESENT CONTROLS THE PASTRunout etched side B
TPE-1-A-1 MT. 1 1 TOWNHOUSE 3 WHO CONTROLS THE PAST CONTROLS THE FUTURERunout etched side A
TPE-1-B-1 MT. 1 1 TOWNHOUSE 4 WHO CONTROLS THE PRESENT CONTROLS THE PASTRunout etched side B
TPEX·1·A-1 TOWNHOUSE MT. WHO CONTROLS THE PAST CONTROLS THE FUTURERunout side A, etched
TPEX-1·B-1 MT. TOWNHOUSE WHO CONTROLS THE PRESENT CONTROLS THE PASTRunout side B, etched
11 2Runout side A, stamped
11 2Runout side B, stamped
TPET+1+A H L18674 TOWNHOUSESide A [Etched]
TPET+1+B K L18675 TOWNHOUSESide B [Etched]
BBL 1 A //1▽420 H 1 1 TOWNHOUSE ORDER NOWRunout side A
BBL 1 B //1▽420 H 1 1 TOWNHOUSERunout side B
TPEX·1·A-1 TOWNHOUSE MT. WHO CONTROLS THE PAST CONTROLS THE FUTURESide A runout
TPEX-1 B-1 MT. TOWNHOUSE WHO CONTROLS THE PRESENT CONTROLS THE PASTSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | Polydor 885 709-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | Polydor TPEX 101First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | France | Polydor 885 709-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Polydor 885 709-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Germany | Polydor 885 709-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | Philippines | Polydor EP PRO 8452First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Spain | Polydor 885 709-1First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | UK | Polydor TPEX 1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Polydor TPET 1First year10", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 10", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1987 | UK | Polydor BBL 1First year12", 45 RPM, Promo, Sampler · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Sampler · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | Polydor TPEX 1 DJFirst year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Polydor PRO 528-1First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Polydor PRO 514-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Polydor PRO 534-1 REVFirst year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Polydor PRO 528-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label |
17 vinyl pressings of Big Decision are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Polydor TPE 1, released March 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TPE 1, TPEX 1, TPET 1, BBL 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TPE-1-A-1 MT. 1 1 TOWNHOUSE 3 WHO CONTROLS THE PAST CONTROLS THE FUTURE and TPE-1-B-1 MT. 1 1 TOWNHOUSE 4 WHO CONTROLS THE PRESENT CONTROLS THE PAST. 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.
