Vinyl pressings
by The Heptones · 1977
Party Time was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 5 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.
I-5 ILPS 9456 A2 EG JONZSide A runout variant 1
I-4 ILPS 9456 B2 EGSide B runout variant 1
I-6 ILPS 9456 A2 1 EG JONZSide A runout variant 2
I-5 ILPS 9456 B2 1 EGSide B runout variant 2
Ⅰ-8 ILPS 9456 A4 JONZ EGSide A runout, variant 1
Ⅰ-2 ILPS 9456 B4 EGSide B runout, variant 1
Ⅰ-6 ILPS 9456 A4 JONZ EGSide A runout, variant 2
Ⅰ-3 ILPS 9456 B4 EGSide B runout, variant 2
MLPS-9456-ASide A [etched]
MLPS-9456-BSide B [etched]
STERLINGSide A & B [stamped]
Side A: ILPS 9456 A-2 U
Side B: ILPS 9456 B-2 U
MLPS-9456-ASide A runout, etched
MLPS-9456-BSide B runout, etched
STERLINGSide A & B runout, stamped
ILPS 9456-A XSide A Etching
ILPS-9456-B 1Side B Etching
STERLINGSide A Stamp
STERLING BSide B Stamp
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Canada | Island Records ILPS 9456First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Island Records 200 574First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Jamaica | Hep Hep Records / Island Records ILPS 9456First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Jamaica | Hep Hep RecordsFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Jamaica | Hep Hep Records / Island Records ILPS 9456First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9456First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Mango MLPS 9456First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Island Records ILPS 9456First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Mango MLPS 9456First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9456First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Benelux | Island Records 200 574LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Island Records L 37012LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9456LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9456LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Island Records L 37012LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Europe | Island Records ILPS 9456LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Island Records ILPS 9456LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Mango 210 854LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Jamaica | Hep Hep RecordsLP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | UpsetterLP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Mango MLPS-9456LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Mango MLPS 9456LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
22 vinyl pressings of Party Time are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1977 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9456, released January 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9456, MLPS 9456, 200 574) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, I-5 ILPS 9456 A2 EG JONZ and I-4 ILPS 9456 B2 EG. 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.
