Vinyl pressings
by M · 1980
The Official Secrets Act 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.
16 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 13 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.
MCF-3085-A-1 BilBo Ta1pE ⋀Runout side A, etched + stamp
MCF-3085-B-1 BilBo - Ta1pE ⋀Runout side B, etched + stamp
MCF 3085A
MCF 3085B
SRK-1-6099-WW1#2 • ⸺◁Runout side A
SRK-2-6099-WW1 • ⸺◁Runout side B
SRK-1-6099-LW2 • 2(sideways) ✲ ✲A side runout etch, exc 2 ✲ stamp - Variant 1
SRK-2-6099-LW2 • 2(sideways) ✲ ✲B side runout etch, exc 2 ✲ stamp - Variant 1
SRK-1-6099-LW3 • 1(sideways) ✲ ✲A side runout etch, exc 1 ✲ stamp - Variant 2
SRK-2-6099-LW1 • 1(sideways) ✲ ✲B side runout etch, exc 1 ✲ stamp - Variant 2
SRK-1-6099-JW1 0A side runout etch, except 0 stamped
SRK-2-6099-WW1#3 0 (Winchester stamp crossed out)B side runout etch
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 MCF 3085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Benelux | Ariola 203 091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Sire XSR 6099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Arabella 201759First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | MCA Records 203 071 / MCA Records 203 071-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | MCA Records 14C 062-64190First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4109First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | MCA Records VIM6241First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6241First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | MCA Records 203 071First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | MCA Records MAPS 9792First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | MCA Records I-203 071First yearLP | LP |
| 1980 | US | Sire SRK 6099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Sire SRK 6099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Sire SRK 6099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
17 vinyl pressings of The Official Secrets Act are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Australia, Benelux and more. One of them is MCA Records MCF 3085, released November 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCF 3085, SRK 6099, 203 091, XSR 6099) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCF-3085-A-1 BilBo Ta1pE ⋀ and MCF-3085-B-1 BilBo - Ta1pE ⋀. 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.
