Vinyl pressings
by Bing Crosby · 1977
Bing Crosby's Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. 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 1977, the album's first year, in 4 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.
MCA 1392 W4 ◈ P ◈Runout Side A, variant 1
MCA 1393 W3 ◈ P ◈Runout Side B, variant 1
MCA 1392 W-3 LB ◈ P ◈ IRunout Side A, variant 2
MCA 1393 W-3 LB ◈ P ◈ I̶I̶I̶I̶ IRunout Side B, variant 2
MCA 1392 W-1 LB ⧈-G-⧈Variant 1 Side A runout
MCA 1393 W-1 LB ⧈-G-⧈Variant 1 Side B runout
MCA 1392 W-2 LB ⧈-G-⧈Variant 2 Side A runout
MCA 1393 W-7 LB ⧈-G-⧈Variant 2 Side B runout
MCA 1392 W-2Run-out Etching Side A
MCA 1393 W-1Run-out Etching Side B
MCA1392Label Side A
MCA1393Label Side B
MCA 1392 W-4 LBSide A runout, etched
MCA 1393 W-3 LBSide B runout, etched
⧈-P-⧈Sides A & B runout, stamped
MCA1392Side A label
MCA 1392 W-5 MCA-3031-A LBSide A
MCA 1393 W-5 MCA-3031 B X LBSide B
MCA 1392 W-5 MCA-3031-A X LBSide A (variant)
MCA 1393 W-5 MCA-3031 B LBSide 2 (variant)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | MCA Records MCA-3031First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-3031First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | France | MCA Records 410 080First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | France | MCA Records 410080First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | US | MCA Records MCA-3031First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | US | MCA Records MCA-3031First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | US | MCA Records MCA-3031LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1977 | US | MCA Records MCA-3031First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | US | MCA Records MCA-3031First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-3031LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | MCA Records 670.9109LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-37076LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
12 vinyl pressings of Bing Crosby's Greatest Hits are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1977 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Australia, Canada, France. One of them is MCA Records MCA-3031.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-3031, 410 080, 410080) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 1392 W4 ◈ P ◈ and MCA 1393 W3 ◈ P ◈. 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.
