Vinyl pressings
by Thin Lizzy · 1980
Chinatown was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 9 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.
629 LIZZY 6 1F//2▽E TH FRA POLYGRAM AGStamped runout, side A
LIZZY 6 2F//2▽E TH FRA AStamped runout, side B
BEtched runout, side A
C2B POLYGRAMEtched runout, side B
LIZZY 6 1F//1∇420ETH 12 1Runout side A - Variant 1
LIZZY 6 2F//1∇420ETH 1 1Runout side B - Variant 1
LIZZY 6 1F//1∇420ETH 12 2Runout side A - Variant 2
LIZZY 6 2F//1∇420ETH 11 16Runout side B - Variant 2
LIZZY 6 1F//1∇ETH 11 1Runout side A variant 1
LIZZY 6 2F//1∇ETH 41 4Runout side B variant 1
LIZZY 6 1F//1∇ETH 2 11Runout side A variant 2
LIZZY 6 2F//1∇ETH 1 3Runout side B variant 2
629 LIZZY 6 1F//2▽E TH FRA POLYGRAM AGStamped runout, side A
LIZZY 6 2F//2▽E TH FRA AStamped runout, side B
BEtched runout, side A
C2B POLYGRAMEtched runout, side B
LIZZY 6 1F//1∇ETH 1 1 2Runout side A
LIZZY 6 2F//1∇ETH 1Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Vertigo 6059 280First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | Vertigo 6837 666First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Ireland | Vertigo LIZZY 6First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Japan | Vertigo SFL-2504First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Vertigo SFL-2504First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Vertigo LIZZY 1First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Vertigo 6059 280First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | South Africa | Vertigo TOS 1266First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Spain | Vertigo 6059 280First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | UK | Vertigo LIZZY 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Vertigo LIZZY 6First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | UK | Vertigo LIZ D.J. 6First year7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1980 | UK | Vertigo LIZZY 6First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | UK | Vertigo LIZZY 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Vertigo LIZZY 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
15 vinyl pressings of Chinatown are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Australia, Ireland, Japan and more. One of them is Vertigo LIZZY 6.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LIZZY 6, LIZ D.J. 6, 6059 280, SFL-2504) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 629 LIZZY 6 1F//2▽E TH FRA POLYGRAM AG and LIZZY 6 2F//2▽E TH FRA A. 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.
