Vinyl pressings
by Chick Corea · 1978
The Mad Hatter was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 19 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.
PD-1-6130 AS-CPSide A Etching (Variant 1)
PD-1-6130 BS-CPSide B Etching (Variant 1)
PD-1-6130 AS [scratch out] CP =Side A Etching (Variant 2)
PD-1-6130 BS CP2 =Side B Etching (Variant 2)
PD-1-6130 AS-CPIHand-etchings runout area side A
PD-1-6130 BS-CP2Hand-etchings runout area side B
(PD-1-6130-A)Label A
(PD-1-6130-B)Label B
PD-1-6130 AS-CTRunout side A, variant 1
PD-1-6130 BS-CT1Runout side B, variant 1
T1 PD-1-6130 AS-CT B 4Runout side A, variant 2
T1 PD-1-6130 BS-CT - A11Runout side B, variant 2
PD-1-6130 AS CS-2 A 5 S 1Hand-etchings runout area side A, variant 1
PD-1-6130 BS CS-2 A4 S1Hand-etchings runout area side B, variant 1
PD-1-6130 AS CS1-1BHand-etchings runout area side A, variant 2
PD-1-6130 BS CS1-1BHand-etchings runout area side B, variant 2
PD-1-6130 AS PRC2-1-111 PRCRunout side A, etched, variant 1
PD-1-6130 BS PRC2-1-1- PRCRunout side B, etched, variant 1
PD-1-6130 AS PRC2-1-1 PRCRunout side A, etched, variant 2
PD-1-6130 BS PRC2-1-1- PRCRunout side B, etched, variant 2
p PD-1-6130 AS [scratch out] CP = I ARunout side A
p PD-1-6130 BS CP2 = I A 3Runout side B
(PD-1-6130-A)Label side A
(PD-1-6130-B)Label side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Argentina | Polydor 2391332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Australia | Polydor 2391 332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Austria | Polydor 2391 332First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Brazil | Polydor 2391 332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6130First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Chile | Polydor 2391 332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Polydor 2490 144First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Polydor 2391 332First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Israel | Litratone 2391 332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Italy | Polydor 2391 332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Polydor MPF 1150First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Polydor 18MJ 9002First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Polydor 2391 332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2391332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Polydor 2391 332 AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Japan | Polydor 18MJ 9002LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Polydor PD-1-6130LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Polydor PD-1-6130LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
34 vinyl pressings of The Mad Hatter are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1978 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Polydor PD-1-6130.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD-1-6130, 2490 144, 2391332, 2391 332) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PD-1-6130 AS-CP and PD-1-6130 BS-CP. 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.
