Vinyl pressings
by Dobie Gray · 1973
Loving Arms 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.
8 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 5 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.
MCA-318 2 1 DWJ ◈-P-◈Side A etch / ◈-P-◈ stamped
MCA-319 2 3 DWJ ◈-P-◈Side B etch / ◈-P-◈ stamped
MCA 371 MCA-318A Side Label
MCA 371 MCA-319B Side Label
MCA 318-W2 ◈-P-◈Side A Runout Etched, Except ◈-P-◈ Stamped
MCA 319-W2 ◈-P-◈Side B Runout Etched, Except ◈-P-◈ Stamped
MCA318Side A label
MCA319Side B label
MCA 318-W1 ◈-G-◈Side A Runout Etched, Except ◈-G-◈ Stamped
MCA 319-W1 ◈-P-◈Side B Runout Etched, Except ◈-G-◈ Stamped
MCA-318 W1 []-G-[]Side A runout
MCA-319 W1 []-G-[]Side B runout
MCA 371 MCA-318A Side Label
MCA 371 MCA-319B Side Label
MCA - 318 - I Manufactured in Germany Ⓟ 1973 F.Runout A
MCA - 318 - III Manufactured in Germany I Ⓟ 1973Runout B
MCA 318Label A
MCA 319Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-371First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | MCA Records MAPS 7142 / MCA Records MAPS 7142First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | MCA Records SMCA 597First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | MCA Records SMCA 597 / MCA Records SMCA.597First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | MCA Records MCF 2528First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records MCA-371First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records MCA-371First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records MCA-371LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records MCA-371LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records MCA-371First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | MCA Records MCA-6024LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | MCA Records MCA-6024LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | MCA Records 5C 062-95095 / MCA Records MAPS 7142LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | South Africa | MCA Records SMCA 597 / Gallo SMCA 597LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | South Africa | MCA Records SMCA 597LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | South Africa | MCA Records LMCL 504LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | MCA Records MAPS-7142LP, Album | LP, Album |
17 vinyl pressings of Loving Arms are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1973 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-371.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-371, MCF 2528, MAPS 7142, SMCA 597) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-318 2 1 DWJ ◈-P-◈ and MCA-319 2 3 DWJ ◈-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.
