Vinyl pressings
by Cher · 1973
Dark Lady was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
MC 2192 W6 ⧈-G-⧈A-Side Runout Etching - variant 1
MC 1898-W6 ⧈-G-⧈B-Side Runout Etching - variant 1
MC 2192 W5 ⧈-G-⧈A-Side Runout Etching - variant 2
MC 1898-W6 ⧈-G-⧈B-Side Runout Etching - variant 2
MC2192-W3 ◈-P-◈A-side runout
MC1898-W4 ◈-P-◈B-side runout
MC2192A-side label
MC1898B-side label
MC 2192 W6 回-G-回A-Side Runout Etching
MC 2192 M-W6 回-G-回B-Side Runout Etching
MC 2192A-side label
MC 2192-MB-side label
MC2192Stereo label
MC2192-MMono label
MC 1371 (A)A-side label
MC 1371 (B)B-side label
MC 2192 (MC 7298)A-side label
MC 1898 (MC 7298)B-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | MCA Records MCA-1371First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Brazil | MCA Records MCACS 900.050First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 40161First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Japan | MCA Records D-1237First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | MCA Records D-1237First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Lebanon | MCA Records MCS 7214First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records MCA-40161First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records MCA-40161First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records MCA-40161First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records MCA-40161First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1974 | Argentina | MCA Records 19337", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Argentina | MCA Records 19337", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Belgium | MCA Records 4C 006 95111 / MCA Records 4 C 006-951117", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | MCA Records 110 054 / MCA Records MCA 40.1617", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Germany | MCA Records MCS 72147", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
36 vinyl pressings of Dark Lady are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1973 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-40161.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-40161, MCA-1371, MCACS 900.050, MCA 40161) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC 2192 W6 ⧈-G-⧈ and MC 1898-W6 ⧈-G-⧈. 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.
