Vinyl pressings
by The Move · 1971
Chinatown was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
27 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 16 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.
HAR 5043 A - 1 KTVariant 1: A-side, stamped
HAR 5043 B - 1 KTVariant 1: B-side, stamped
SHAR 5043 A - 1 KTVariant 2: A-side, stamped
SHAR 5043 B - 1 KTVariant 2: B-side, stamped
SHAR 5043 A-1 R KT 1Side A runout, stamped
SHAR 5043 B-1 GL KT 1Side B runout, stamped
(SHAR.5043A)Side A label
SHAR.5043B)Side B label
SHAR 5043 A - 1 GH KT 2Side A runout
SHAR 5043 B - 1 GR KT 2Side B runout
SHAR.5043ASide A label
SHAR.5043BSide B label
SHAR 5043AA-side label
SHAR 5043BB-side label
K-669 UAST-9028-5Side A Runout
K-685 UAST-9014-Rc-3Side B Runout
UAST9028 UASTSide A Runout (etched)
UAST 9014-3 BBSide B Runout (etched)
1 A PSide A (stamped)
1 PSide B (stamped)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Belgium | Harvest 4C 006-04931 MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Denmark | Harvest HAR 5043First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | France | Harvest 2C 006-04931 MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Germany | Harvest 1C 006-04 931 M / Harvest 1 C 006-04 931 MFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Ireland | Harvest HAR 5043First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Harvest 5C 006-04 931 / Harvest 5C 006-04931First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Harvest 5C 006-04 931 / Harvest 5C 006-04931First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Harvest 5C-006-04931First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Harvest HAR 5043First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | Norway | Harvest 7E 006-04931 MFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | Portugal | Stateside 8E 006 - 04 931 MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Harvest HAR 5043First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | South Africa | Harvest HARJ 5043First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Sweden | Harvest 4E 006-04931 MFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | UK | Harvest HAR 5043First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
27 vinyl pressings of Chinatown are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Harvest HAR 5043, released October 1, 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HAR 5043, 50876, K-14332, K14332) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HAR 5043 A - 1 KT and HAR 5043 B - 1 KT. 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.
