Vinyl pressings
by Andrew Lloyd Webber And Tim Rice · 1974
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 6 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.
MCF 2544 A-1 RA 1Side A, Variant 1
MCF 2544 B-1 RD 1Side B, Variant 1
MCF 2544 A-2 GA 1Side A, Variant 2
MCF 2544 B-2 H 1Side B, Variant 2
MCF-2544-A3Side A Etched
MCF-2544-B-2Side B Etched
MCF-2544-A3Side A Etched
MCF-2544-B-2Side B Etched
fhFrank Hulbert mark, etched in runouts
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | MCA Records MAPS 7277First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-399First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | New Zealand | MCA Records MAPS 7277First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | South Africa | MCA Records GL 1768First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | MCA Records MCF 2544 / MCA Records OC 062 ◦ 95325First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | MCA Records MCF 2544 BX / MCA Records MAPS 7277First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | MCA Records MCF 2544 / MCA Records MAPS 7277First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | MCA Records MCA-399First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-399LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCF 2544LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-399LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-399LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1974 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCF 2544.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCF 2544, MCF 2544 BX, MCA-399, MAPS 7277) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCF 2544 A-1 RA 1 and MCF 2544 B-1 RD 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.
