Vinyl pressings
by Donnie Iris · 1980
Ah ! Leah ! was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 8 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.
MC-10853-SS4 ◈-P-◈ STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
MC-10855-SS3 ◈-P-◈ STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
MC-10853-SS3 ◈-P-◈I STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
MC-10855-SS3 ◈-P-◈I STERLINGRunout side B, variant 2
STERLING ⧈-G-⧈ MC-10853-SS2A runout variant 1
STERLING ⧈-G-⧈ MC-10855-SS2B runout variant 1
STERLING ⧈-G-⧈ MC-10853-SS1A runout variant 2
STERLING ⧈-G-⧈ MC-10855-SS2B runout variant 2
MC10853 ss2Label Side A
MC10855 ss2Label Side B
sterling
MW-6006-A·1A SX STERLING S1Runout A
MW-6006-B·1A SX STERLING S1Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | MCA Records MCA 51025 / Carousel Records MCA 51025First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-51025 / Carousel Records MCA-51025First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-51153First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | MCA Records 102 953 / MCA Records 102 953-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Italy | MCA Records MCAN 51025First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Japan | MCA Records VIMX-1519First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | MCA Records VIMX-1519First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | MCA Records MCA 51025First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | MCA Records MCA 662First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-51025First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | US | Midwest National MW 6006First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-51025 / MCA Records MC10853First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-51025First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | Midwest National MW 6006First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-51025 / Carousel Records MCA-51025First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-511537", 45 RPM, Promo, Reissue · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| ? | US | Collectables COL-90130 / MCA Special Markets & Products MSS-358197", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-511537" | 7" |
21 vinyl pressings of Ah ! Leah ! are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-51025, released November 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-51025, MW 6006, MCA 662, MCA 51025) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC-10853-SS4 ◈-P-◈ STERLING and MC-10855-SS3 ◈-P-◈ STERLING. 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.
