Vinyl pressings
by Hoyt Axton · 1977
Snowblind Friend was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 6 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 1205 W-1 ⧈-G-⧈A-side runout, variant 1
MCA 1206 W-1 ⧈-G-⧈B-side runout, variant 1
MCA 1205 W-1 1 ⧈-G-⧈A-side runout, variant 2
MCA 1206 W-1 2 ⧈-G-⧈B-side runout, variant 2
MCA 1205 W-3 ◈-P-◈A side runout
MCA 1206 W-2 ◈-P-◈B side runout
MCA 1205 W-3Side A runout etched
◈-P-◈Side A runout stamped
MCA 1206 W-1 ◈-P-◈ 2Side B runout etched
MCA1205Side A label
MCA 1205 W-1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side A
MCA 1206 W-1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side B
MCA 1205Label side A
MCA 1206Label side B
MCF.2803A-1Label - Side A
MCF.2803B-1 CUT BY NICK WLabel - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia & New Zealand | MCA Records MCA 2263First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2263First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | MCA Records 62.077 / MCA Records MCA 2263First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6134First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | MCA Records MCF 2803 / MCA Records 0C 062-99 114First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | MCA Records MCA-2263First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | MCA Records MCA-2263First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | MCA Records MCA-2263First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | MCA Records MCA-2263First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | MCA Records MCA-2263First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2263LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-647 / MCA Records MCA-2263LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Snowblind Friend are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1977 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia & New Zealand, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-2263.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-2263, MCF 2803, MCA 2263, 62.077) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 1205 W-1 ⧈-G-⧈ and MCA 1206 W-1 ⧈-G-⧈. 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.
