Vinyl pressings
by Holly Johnson · 1989
Atomic City was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. 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 1989, 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.
R/S Alsdorf 257542-0-A 5Runout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 257542-0-B 16Runout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 257542-0-A 12Runout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 257542-0-B 13Runout side B, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 257482-0-ARunout side A
R / S Alsdorf 257482-0-BRunout side B
R/S Alsdorf 257513-7 ARunout area side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 257513-7 BRunout area side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 257513-7 A 9Runout area side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 257513-7 B 4Runout area side B, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 257513-7 ARunout area side A
R/S Alsdorf 257513-7 BRunout area side B
R/S Alsdorf 257542-0-A 3 I <T>Runout side A
R/S Alsdorf 257542-0-B 4 I <T>Runout side B
MCA 1342 A-1U-1- TY1Runout stamped side A
MCA 1342B -1U-1- 1 TY1Runout stamped side B
MCA 1342ALabel side A
MCA 1342BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | MCA Records 7-257513First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Australia | MCA Records 0-257542First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records 257 542-0 / MCA Records 257 542-0 LBFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records 257 482-0 / MCA Records 257 482-0 LBFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records 257 513-7 / MCA Records 257 513-7 LAFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records 257 513-7 / MCA Records 257 513-7 LAFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records 257 542-0 / MCA Records 257 542-0 LBFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | South Africa | MCA Records WEA 341 PROFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Spain | MCA Records 1.103First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1989 | Spain | MCA Records 1.103First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records WMCAT1342First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records MCA 1342First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records MCA 1342First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 1342First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records MCAX 1342First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of Atomic City are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in Europe, UK, Australia, South Africa and more. One of them is MCA Records 257 542-0.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 257 542-0, 257 482-0, 257 513-7, MCA 1342) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 257542-0-A 5 and R/S Alsdorf 257542-0-B 16. 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.
