Vinyl pressings
by Wings · 1978
London Town was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
7YCE 21799-1 RM NICKSide A stamped / etched runout
7YCE 21800-1 RP MASTERED AT ABBEY ROADSide B stamped / etched runout
7YCE 21799Side A label
7YCE 21800Side B label
7YCE 21799Side A label
7YCE 21800Side B label
S45-X94788 F2 #2Variant 1 - Side A Runout
S45-X94790 F2 #3Variant 1 -Side B Runout
MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPVariant 1 - Side A and B Runout
S45-X94788 F2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL —◁ KPVariant 2 - A side runout - etched / stamped
S45-X94788 F3 KPSide A Etching
S45-X94790 F3 KPSide B Etching
MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲Both Sides Stamped
X94788Side A Label
S45-X94788 F1 4625 #2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP 0Variant 1: A-Side etch, exc "MASTERED BY CAPITOL" & "0"
S45-X94790 F1 4625 #1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP 0Variant 1: B-Side etch, exc "MASTERED BY CAPITOL" & "0"
X94788Side A Label
X94790Side B Label
PRO-8908 F1• ⥛ MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ RLMono runout
SPRO-8908 F1• ⥛ MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ RLStereo runout
PRO-8908Mono label
X94788BStereo label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Capitol Records A11787First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Belgium | MPL 4C 006-61 540First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Brazil | MPL 31C 008 61540First year7" | 7" |
| 1978 | Canada | Capitol Records PRO-8908 / Capitol Records SPRO-8908First year7", Promo, 45 RPM, Single, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono | 7", Promo, 45 RPM, Single, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | Canada | Capitol Records 4625 / MPL 4625First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | Parlophone 2C008-61540First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Germany | MPL 1C 006-61 540 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-61 540First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Italy | Not on Label 3C 000 - 79014First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | Capitol Records EPR-20502 / MPL EPR-20502First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Capitol Records EPR-20502 / MPL EPR-20502First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Mexico | Capitol Records 8185First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Netherlands | MPL 5C 006-61 540First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Parlophone NZP.3571First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Philippines | Parlophone PAL-61165 / Parlophone 4625First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Portugal | Parlophone 8E 006 61540 GFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
23 vinyl pressings of London Town are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is MPL R 6021, released August 25, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use R 6021, 4625, P-4625, A11787) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7YCE 21799-1 RM NICK and 7YCE 21800-1 RP MASTERED AT ABBEY ROAD. 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.
