Vinyl pressings
by Don Williams · 1981
Especially For You was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 11 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-2612-MI-3 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Side A runout, variant 1
MCA-2613-MI-4 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Side B runout, variant 1
MCA-2612-MI-4 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈ISide A runout, variant 2
MCA-2613-MI-4 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈ISide B runout, variant 2
⧈-G-⧈Runout Both Sides, Stamped
MCA-2612-MI-2 Masterfonics ⧈-G-⧈Side A
MCA-2613-MI-1 Masterfonics ⧈-G-⧈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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | MCA Records MCA-5210First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | MCA Records 203 901First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5210First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | MCA Records 203 901 / MCA Records 203 901-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Netherlands | MCA Records MCA 5210 / MCA Records 203 901First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | MCA Records 203 901First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | MCA Records MCA 5210First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | MCA Records ML 4527 / MCA Records, Inc. MCA 5210First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Korea | MCA Records DM-0007First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | MCA Records I-203.901First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK & Europe | MCA Records MCF 3114First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-5210First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-5210LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-5210LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-5210First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5210LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
16 vinyl pressings of Especially For You are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5210.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5210, 203 901, MCA 5210, ML 4527) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-2612-MI-3 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈ and MCA-2613-MI-4 Masterfonics ◈-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.
