Vinyl pressings
by The Pogues · 1985
Dirty Old Town was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
BUY 229 A-10-1-1-X1Variant 1: Runout A, stamped
BUY 229 B-10-1-1-X1Variant 1: Runout B, stamped
BUY 229 A-2U-1-1-X1Variant 2: Runout A, stamped
BUY 229 B-1U-1-1-X1Variant 2: Runout B, stamped
P+ Buy + 229+A ORLAKE
P+ Buy + 229+B SOUND CLINIC ORLAKE
SMX - 65291 W2A J .Side A Runout, Etched
SMX - 65292 W2B2 AP .Side B Runout, Etched
MX-65291Side A Label
MX-65292Side B Label
MPO Ʈ 107728 ARunout side A
MPO Ʈ 107728 BRunout side B
(107.728 A)Label side A
(107.728 B)Label side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Stiff Records K-9839 / Stiff Records BUY 229First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | France | Stiff Records 107728 / Stiff Records 107.728First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.14452First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.14452 (BUY229)First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Stiff Records K 9839 / Stiff Records K 9839First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Stiff Records K 9839 / Stiff Records K 9839First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 229First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | Stiff Records BUYIT 229 / Stiff Records Buy It 229First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | Stiff Records P BUY 229First year7", Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | 7", Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1986 | France | Stiff Records 220017", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Russia | буд кон Д60 2186Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
11 vinyl pressings of Dirty Old Town are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is Stiff Records BUY 229.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUY 229, BUYIT 229, P BUY 229, K-9839) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUY 229 A-10-1-1-X1 and BUY 229 B-10-1-1-X1. 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.
