Vinyl pressings
by Thin Lizzy · 1976
The Boys Are Back In Town was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 17 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.
6059139 1F//1▽420 04 11 9Runout side A, variant 1
6059139 2F//1▽420 04 11 10Runout side B, variant 1
6059139 1F//1▽420 04 11 17Runout side A, variant 2
6059139 2F//1▽420 04 13 14Runout side B, variant 2
6059139 1F//1 420 04 11 2Side A runout
6059139 2F//1 420 04 13 1Side B runout
6059139 A//3▼420 WMachine stamped in run-out area A-side
6059139 B//3▼420 WMachine stamped in run-out area B-side
2-52627-CT1 T MASTERDISK G:K:Side A, etched exc. MASTERDISK stamp, variant 1
2-52616-CT1 T MASTERDISK G.K.Side B, etched exc. MASTERDISK stamp, variant 1
2-52627-CT1 T MASTERDISK G:K:Side A, etched exc. MASTERDISK stamp, variant 2
2-52616-CT2 MASTERDISK G.K.TIISide B, etched exc. MASTERDISK stamp, variant 2
2-52627-CP3 MASTERDISK G.K.A side runout
2-52616-CP4 MASTERDISK G.K.B side runout
2-52627A side label
2-52616B side label
2-52627-CS5 G.K. MASTERDISKA side runout
2-52616-CS5 G.K. MASTERDISKB side runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Vertigo 6059 139First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Australia | Vertigo 6059 139First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Brazil | Vertigo 6059 141First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Canada | Vertigo 6059. 141First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | Canada | Vertigo 6059.141First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Ecuador | Vertigo 45-31002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | France | Vertigo 6837 331First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Germany | Vertigo 6059 141First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Ireland | Vertigo 6059 139First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Italy | Vertigo 6059 139First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | Vertigo SFL-2091First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Japan | Vertigo SFL-2091First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Mexico | Vertigo 707First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6059 139First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Vertigo 6059 139First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | UK | Vertigo 6059 1397", 45 RPM, Single, Repress · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Mercury C-301747", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
37 vinyl pressings of The Boys Are Back In Town are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1976 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Vertigo 6059 139, released April 30, 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6059 139, 73786, 6059 141, 6059. 141) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6059139 1F//1▽420 04 11 9 and 6059139 2F//1▽420 04 11 10. 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.
