Vinyl pressings
by Crystal Gayle · 1983
Cage The Songbird was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 13 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.
1-23958-SH1 Q B-1860 7-SH1 Masterfonics SLM △ 5362 1-1Side A runout
1-23958-B-SH1 Q B-18608-SH1 Masterfonics SLM △ 5362 -X 1-1Side B runout
1-23958-A SH1 0B-18607-SH1 SLM ∆ 5362 1-1 MasterfonicsSide 1
1-23958-B-SH1 0B-18608-SH1 SLM ∆ 5362-X 1-1 MasterfonicsSide 2
1-23958-A SH1 [Allied 'a' logo] B-18607-SH1 Masterfonics SLM △ 5362 1̶-̶2̶ ̶ SP 0-1 SM1-3Side A
1-23958-B-SH1 SP 0-1SM1-2 [Allied 'a' logo] B-18608-SH1 Masterfonics SLM △ 5362-X 1̶-̶2̶ ̶Side B
92-39581-ASide 1:Etched
92-39581-B2Side 2:Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 23958-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 26.121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 39581First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 92-3958-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Warner Bros. Records 92-3958-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 92-3958-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 92-3958-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-11420First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records 92-3958-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records 239581First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Portugal | Warner Bros. Records 759 92 3958-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Warner Bros. Records 92-3958-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Korea | WEA OLW-288First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Warner Bros. Records W1-23958LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | US | Warner Bros. Records 1-23958 / Warner Bros. Records 9 23958-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
18 vinyl pressings of Cage The Songbird are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 1-23958.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1-23958, 23958-1, 26.121, 92 39581) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1-23958-SH1 Q B-1860 7-SH1 Masterfonics SLM △ 5362 1-1 and 1-23958-B-SH1 Q B-18608-SH1 Masterfonics SLM △ 5362 -X 1-1. 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.
