Vinyl pressings
by Alan Price · 1975
Metropolitan Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. 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 1975, the album's first year, in 8 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.
2442133 A // 3 A P 12 6Side A runout, variant 1
2442133 B // 3 A P 1 4 1Side B runout, variant 1
2442133 A // 3 A P 11 6Side A runout, variant 2
2442133 B // 3 A P 1 2 3Side B runout, variant 2
2383 325 S1 320 A2stamped runout side 1
2383 325 S2 320 Cstamped runout side 2
2442133 A 2YS3864Side A runout, stamped
2442133 B 2YS3865Side B runout, stamped
2442 133 ASide A label
2442 133 BSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Polydor 2442 133First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | France | Polydor 2383 325First yearLP | LP |
| 1975 | Italy | Polydor 2383 325First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Polydor MP-2478First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Japan | Polydor MP-2478First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Polydor 2383 325First yearLP | LP |
| 1975 | Spain | Polydor 23 83 325First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | Polydor 2442 133First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | Polydor ACB 194LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1975 | Germany | Polydor 2383 325First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Metropolitan Man are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, Germany, Australia, France and more. One of them is Polydor 2442 133.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2442 133, 2383 325, MP-2478, 23 83 325) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2442133 A // 3 A P 12 6 and 2442133 B // 3 A P 1 4 1. 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.
