Vinyl pressings
by Malcolm McLaren · 1984
Madam Butterfly was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
43 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
MALC 5 A-1U-1-1-C ARUNRunout side A, variant 1
MALC 5 B-2U-1-1-5Runout side B, variant 1
MALC 5 A-1U-1-3-4 ARUNRunout side A, variant 2
MALC 5 B-1U-1-1-CRunout side B, variant 2
MALC 512 A-2U-1-1-Runout, side A, stamped, variant 1
MALC 512 B-2U-1-1-Runout, side B, stamped, variant 1
MALC 512 A-1U-1-2-Runout, side A, stamped, variant 2
MALC 512 B-1U-1-1-Runout, side B, stamped, variant 2
MALC · P · 5 · ASide A
MALC · P · 5 · B · SRTSide B
MALC 513 ALabel side A
MALC 513 BLabel side B
MALC 512 A-2U-1-1A Side
MALC 512 B-2U-1-1B Side
MALC 512 A-1U-1-:··:,Runout, side A, stamped
MALC 512 B-1U-1-:·::Runout, side B, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin MALC 5 / Charisma MALC 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin MALC 5 / Charisma MALC 5First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Charisma MALC 512 / Virgin MALC 512First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin MALC 512First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Charisma MALC 512 / Virgin MALC 512First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Canada | Charisma VSX 1237 / Virgin VSX 1237First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Charisma VS 1237 / Virgin VS 1237First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Canada | Virgin VS1237DJFirst year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Charisma VSX 1237 / Virgin VSX 1237First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 601 503 / Charisma 601 503First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 106 751 / Virgin 106 751-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Charisma 80135 / Virgin 80135First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | France | Virgin 90 150 / Virgin 90150First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | France | Charisma SA 1028 / Virgin SA 1028First year7", Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Germany | Virgin 106 986-000First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
43 vinyl pressings of Madam Butterfly are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Ireland, Australia and more. One of them is Virgin MALC 5, released August 20, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MALC 5, MALC 512, MALCS5, MALC 513) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MALC 5 A-1U-1-1-C ARUN and MALC 5 B-2U-1-1-5. 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.
