Vinyl pressings
by John Williams · 1982
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
40 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 20 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-3041-WZ MCA SLSide 1 Runout Etch (Variant 1)
MCA-3042-WISide 2 Runout Etch (Variant 1)
MCA-3041-W4 MCA SL ◈-P-◈ [STAMP]Side 1 Runout Etch (Variant 2)
MCA-3042-WI ◈-P-◈ [STAMP]Side 2 Runout Etch (Variant 2)
MCA 3041-W18A-Side (Etched), variant 1
MCA 3042-W18B-Side (Etched), variant 1
MCA 3041 W3A-Side Runout Etching, variant 2
MCA-3042-W20B-Side Runout Etching, variant 2
MCA-3041-W4Side A
MCA-3042-W4Side B
km + MCA-3041 - W13 MCAsh KM-10266-A13 ◇-P-◇V +A side
km + MCA-3042 - W9 KM-10266-B9 +B side
MCA-3041-W2A-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
MCA-3042-W2B-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
MCA-3041-W1 MCA Sh 回-G-回A-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
MCA-3042-W1 回-G-回 IB-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
MCA-3041-W13 MCAsh 3 + KM+Side 1 Runout Etch (Variant 1)
MCA-3042-W10 KM-10266-B10 3 + KM+Side 2 Runout Etch (Variant 1)
MCA-3041-W7Side 1 Runout (Variant 2)
MCA-3042-W11 KM-10266-B11Side 2 Runout (Variant 2)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Argentina | MCA Records SUP-80193First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Argentina | MCA Records 88032First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Australia | MCA Records MCA 6109First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Australia | MCA Records MCA-37264First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1982 | Brazil | MCA Records 6399 403First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-6113First yearLP, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1982 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 6109First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 6113First yearLP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1982 | Europe | MCA Records 204 889First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | MCA Records 204 889First yearLP | LP |
| 1982 | Europe | MCA Records 204 889First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | MCA Records 204 889 / MCA Records MCA-6109First yearLP | LP |
| 1982 | Europe | MCA Records 204 889First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | France | MCA Records 204 889First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | France | MCA Records 204 889First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Geffen Records 00602547138439LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | US | Geffen Records B0022453-01 / UMe B0022453-01LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 2018 | US | La-La Land Records LLLLP 2004 / Universal Music Group LLLLP 2004LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | US | Mondo MOND-279 / Amblin Entertainment MOND-279LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | US | Mondo MOND279C / Amblin Entertainment MOND279CLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2023 | US | Mondo MOND-279 / Amblin Entertainment MOND-279LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Mondo MOND-279LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
55 vinyl pressings of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1982 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, South Africa, Argentina and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA 6109.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA 6109, MCA-6113, MCA - 37264, MCA-6109) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-3041-WZ MCA SL and MCA-3042-WI. 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.
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