Vinyl pressings
by Colosseum II · 1977
War Dance 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.
9 pressings came out in 1977, 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 2817 A-3U PSide A runout, stamped - variant 1
MCF 2817 B-4U PSide B runout, stamped - variant 1
MCF 2817 A-3U T 1Side A runout, stamped - variant 2
MCF 2817 B-4U O 1Side B runout, stamped - variant 2
MCA 1354 W2A-Side
MCA 1355 W2B-Side
MCA 1354 W1 回-G-回Etched - Side A
MCA 1355 W1 回-G-回Etched - Side B
MCA 1354On Label - Side A
MCA 1355On Label - Side B
MCA 1354 W2 ◈-P-◈A-Side Etched ◈-P-◈ stamped
MCA 1355 W2 ◈-P-◈B-Side Etched ◈-P-◈ stamped
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 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 2310First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | MCA Records 0062.094 / MCA Records 2310First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4015 / MCA Records (MCA 2310)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Portugal | MCA Records 6328853First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Portugal | MCA Records 6328853LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | Portugal | MCA Records 6 328 853LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | UK | MCA Records MCF 2817 / MCA Records 0C 062-99 599First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | MCA Records MCF 2817 / MCA Records 0C 062-99 599First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1977 | US | MCA Records MCA 2310First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | MCA Records MCA 2310First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | MCA Records MCA 2310First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6150LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6150LP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1978 | Spain | MCA Records 63 28 853LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | MCA Records 0062.094LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-5630LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Europe | MCA Records 250 435-1 / MCA Records MCL 1603LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 250 435-1 / MCA Records MCL 1603LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 250 435-1 / MCA Records MCL 1603LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | MCA Records 201 573LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | MCA Records 201 573LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of War Dance are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1977 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is MCA Records MCF 2817.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCF 2817, MCA 2310, 0062.094, MCA 4015) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCF 2817 A-3U P and MCF 2817 B-4U 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.
