Vinyl pressings
by Ultravox · 1981
The Thin Wall was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 10 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.
CHS 2540 A // 1 ▽ E TH 1 1 TOWN HOUSE 1 JH.Side A runout - variant 1
CHS 2540 B // 2 ▽ E TH 1 1 1 TOWN HOUSE JH.Side B runout - variant 1
CHS 2540 A // 1 ▽ E TH 11 TOWN HOUSE 2 JHSide A runout - variant 2
CHS 2540 B // 2 ▽ E TH 11 5 TOWN HOUSE JHSide B runout - variant 2
CHS12 2540 A // 1 ▽ E TH 11 1 TOWN HOUSE [JH]Variant 1 side A, stamped
CHS12 2540 B // 1 ▽ E TH 11 1 TOWN HOUSE [JH]Variant 1 side B, stamped
CHS122540 A // 1 ▽ E TH 11 5 J.H. TOWN HOUSEVariant 2 side A, stamped / etched
CHS122540 B // 1 ▽ E TH 11 1 J.H. TOWN HOUSEVariant 2 side B, stamped / etched
TOWN HOUSE 634Side A & B stamped
CHS 12250Side A & B stamped and struck out
A POLYGRAM CHS 122540Side A stamped
B POLYGRAM CHS 122540Side B stamped
CHS 2540 - A1A side - etched
CHS 2540 - B1 JH. ✳▽ DAMONTB side - etched
CHS 2540 - A1 DAMONTA side - etched - variant 2
TOWN HOUSEA and B side - stamped
634 CHS2540 A POLYGRAM TOWN HOUSE J.HRunout, side A, variant 1
634 CHS2540 B POLYGRAM TOWN HOUSE J.HRunout, side B, variant 1
634 CHS2540 A POLYGRAM TOWN HOUSE A10 A J.H.Runout, side A, variant 2
634 CHS 2540 B POLYGRAM A JH A15 TOWN HOUSERunout, side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | France | Chrysalis CHS 2540First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | Germany | Chrysalis 103 494 / Chrysalis 103 494 - 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Chrysalis 600 429 - 213First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | Chrysalis CHS 2540First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 103 494 / Chrysalis 103 494 - 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Portugal | Chrysalis 6198 493First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | Chrysalis CHS 2540First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Spain | Chrysalis CHS 2540 / Chrysalis CHS2540First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Chrysalis CHS 122540First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1981 | UK | Chrysalis CHS 2540First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Italy | Chrysalis CHS 315First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | Chrysalis CHS 315First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | Festival Records K-8450 / Chrysalis CHS-2540First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Festival Records K 8450 / Chrysalis CHS 2540First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Chrysalis CHS 2540First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
22 vinyl pressings of The Thin Wall are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Italy, Australia, New Zealand and more. One of them is Chrysalis CHS 2540, released August 14, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHS 2540, CHS 12 2540, CHS 122540, CHS 315) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHS 2540 A // 1 ▽ E TH 1 1 TOWN HOUSE 1 JH. and CHS 2540 B // 2 ▽ E TH 1 1 1 TOWN HOUSE JH.. 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.
