Vinyl pressings
by Charlie Sexton · 1985
Pictures For Pleasure was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. 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 1985, the album's first year, in 15 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.
MCA4898-SS4 ◈-P-◈ sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢSide A runout
MCA4899-SS4 ◈-P-◈ sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢSide B runout
MCA4898Side A label
MCA4899Side B label
MCA 4898-SS4 JP ◈-P-◈ 1 STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
MCA 4899-SS4 ◈-P-◈ 1 STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
MCA 4898-SS1 ◈-P-◈ 1 STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
MCA 4899-SS5 JP ◈-P-◈ 1 STERLINGRunout side B, variant 2
MCA 4898-SS3 ◈-P-◈ 1 STERLING ⚾︎Side A runout
MCA 4899-SS4 JP ◈-P-◈ 1 STERLINGSide B runout
MCA4898Side A label
MCA4899Side B label
MCA 4898-SS1 1 ⧈-G-⧈ STERLINGSide A variant 1
MCA 4899-SS2 1 ⧈-G-⧈ STERLINGSide B variant 1
MCA 4898-SS2 1 ⧈-G-⧈ STERLINGSide A variant 2
MCA 4899-SS5 1 ⧈-G-⧈ STERLINGSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | MCA Records 88004First yearLP | LP |
| 1985 | Australia | MCA Records 5629-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5629First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5629LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5629First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5629First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Europe | MCA Records 252 656-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | MCA Records 252 656-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | MCA Records 252 656-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1985 | Ireland | MCA Records MCG 6002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Italy | MCA Records 25 2656-1First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1985 | Japan | MCA Records P-13250First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | MCA Records P-13250First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Mexico | MCA Records LCA-6484First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | MCA Records 5629-1 / MCA Records 56291First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label ST-124LP, Album | LP, Album |
29 vinyl pressings of Pictures For Pleasure are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5629, released October 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5629, MCA-5629-A, MCG 6002, 88004) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA4898-SS4 ◈-P-◈ sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ and MCA4899-SS4 ◈-P-◈ sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ. 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.
