Vinyl pressings
by The Jam · 1982
Town Called Malice / Precious was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
43 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 18 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.
POSPX 400 A // 2 ▽ 420 R 11Side A runout, variant 1
POSPX 400 B // 2 ▽ 420 R 11Side AA runout, variant 1
POSPX 400 A // 1 ▽ 420 R 1 1 6Side A runout, variant 2
POSPX 400 B // 2 ▽ 420 R 1 1 1Side AA runout, variant 2
POSP 400 A//1 ▽ 420 R ARUN 1 2 0 1Side A1 runout, variant 1
POSP 400 B//2 ▽ 420 R 1 2 1 0Side A runout, variant 1
POSP 400 A//2 ▽ 420 R 2 20 ARUNSide A1 runout, variant 2
POSP 400 B//1 ▽ 420 R 1 3 8Side A runout, variant 2
POSP 400 A//2 ▽ 420 R 1 3 2 4Side A1, stamped
POSP 400 B//1 ▽ 420 R 1 3 2 3Side A, stamped
ARUNSide A1, etched
POSP 400 A//1▽420 R 1 2 4 ARUNSide A runout, variant 1
POSP 400 B//1▽420 R 1 2 6Side B runout, variant 1
POSP 400 A//2▽420 R 1 3 5 ARUNSide A runout, variant 2
POSP 400 B//1▽420 R 1 2 6 1Side B runout, variant 2
ARUNHand-etched runout
POSP 400 A//2 ▽ 420 RA side dead wax
POSP 400 B//2 ▽ 420 RB side dead wax
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Polydor 2059 456First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Austria | Metronome 30 477 / Metronome 0030.477First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Polydor PDSX 2196First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1982 | Canada | Polydor PDS 2196First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Polydor PDSX 2196First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1982 | Canada | Polydor PDSX 2196First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | France | Polydor 2059 456First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | France | Polydor 2812 087First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Germany | Metronome 0030.477First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Metronome 0930.056First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Greece | Polydor 2059 456First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 400 / Polydor 2059 456First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Japan | Polydor 7DM 0046First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Japan | Polydor 7DM 0046First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Polydor 2141 483First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Spain | Polydor JAM-17", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Netherlands | Polydor 2059 4567", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Polydor POSP 4007", Mispress | 7", Mispress |
48 vinyl pressings of Town Called Malice / Precious are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1982 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Ireland, Australia and more. One of them is Polydor POSPX 400, released January 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSPX 400, POSP 400, DEN 1, PD 2206) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POSPX 400 A // 2 ▽ 420 R 11 and POSPX 400 B // 2 ▽ 420 R 11. 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.
