Vinyl pressings
by Martha And The Muffins · 1980
Metro Music 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.
27 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 16 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.
DID-1-A1 BILBO LOVES MUFFINS! CVariant 1 – Runout side A, etched; "C" stamped
DID-1-B1 BILBO — TA1PE AVariant 1 – Runout side B, etched; "A" stamped
DID-1-A1 BILBO LOVES MUFFINS! FVariant 2 – Runout side A, etched; "F" stamped
DID-1-B1 BILBO — TA1PE CVariant 2 – Runout side B, etched; "C" stamped
DID 1-1Side A, Etched
DID 1-2Side B, Etched
DID 1-A1 Bilbo Loves Muffins!Side A, etched
DID 1-B1 Bilbo — Ta1PeSide B, etched
ST-VA-804511-C C-GP SP 0-1M1-1Side A runout, variant 1
ST-VA-804512-C C-GP SP 0-1M1-1Side B runout, variant 1
ST-VA-804511-C C-GP SP 0-1SM1-12Side A runout, variant 2
ST-VA-804512-C C-GP SP 0-1SM2-1Side B runout, variant 2
ST-VA-804511-C @GP AL 1 (in circle) B-15189Side A runout
ST-VA-804512-C @GP AL 1 (in circle) B-15190Side B runout
ST-VA-804511-ARSide A label
ST-VA-804512-ARSide B label
••W2A 3 SMX 56243Side A runout, etched
••W2A 3 SMX 56244Side B runout, etched
SMX56243Side A label
SMX56244Side B label
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 | Canada | Virgin VM 2142 / Dindisc VM 2142LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | Virgin V 2142 / Dindisc V 2142First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Canada | Virgin V 2142 / Dindisc V 2142First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | Virgin VM-2142 / Dindisc VM-2142LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Europe | Virgin 202 178 / Virgin 202 178-270First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Europe | Virgin 202 178 / Virgin 202 178-270First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Finland | Dindisc DID.1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Dindisc 202 178 / Dindisc 202178First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Virgin 202 178-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | Virgin 2473801First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | Virgin 2473801LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Italy | Dindisc DID 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Dindisc DID 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Mexico | Dindisc DID.1 / Dindisc LAE-258First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Dindisc 202 178 / Dindisc DID.1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Dindisc DID 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Virgin VM 2142 / Dindisc VM 2142LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Virgin 202 178 / Virgin 202 178-270LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Virgin 202 178 / Virgin 202 178-320LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Spain | Virgin H OVED 54LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 54LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Dindisc DID.1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 54LP, Album | LP, Album |
43 vinyl pressings of Metro Music are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1980 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Australia, France and more. One of them is Dindisc DID.1, released February 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DID.1, DID 1, VA 13145, L 37328) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DID-1-A1 BILBO LOVES MUFFINS! C and DID-1-B1 BILBO — TA1PE A. 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.
